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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson begins NFL suspension
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- Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson begins NFL suspension
BEREA − Deshaun Watson's suspension from the NFL officially began at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
The Browns quarterback was not on the field when the team started practice at 3 p.m.. He left the facility at 3:05 p.m.
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Watson, who will miss the Browns' first 11 games , is not permitted to re-enter the building until Oct. 10. That comes after the team's Week 5 game against the Los Angeles Chargers .
Watson won't be able to participate in on-field activities until Nov. 14, two weeks prior to his suspension being over. He can be reinstated on Nov. 28, following the Browns' Week 12 game against Tampa Bay .
Coach Kevin Stefanski was asked after practice about Watson's plans during the suspension. That included whether or not the quarterback was going to be staying in Cleveland during his absence.
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) talks with fellow QB Joshua Dobbs during a preseason game against the Bears on Aug. 27, 2022, in Cleveland.
"I'm not going to get into that," Stefanski said. "I know he's going to be away here for a couple days here at least to start. I think he has a really good plan. Obviously, as you know, we can't direct it, we can't follow up with him. It's really no contact with until Oct. 10. I'm confident he has a really good plan to do some good work while he's away from the building."
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Stefanski did clarify to indicate the Browns were involved in the plan's formation. However, no one from the team is permitted to have contact with Watson during the suspension.
Watson will work out with his own personal quarterback coach, Quincy Avery, during his time away.
"While I won't go into heavy details there, definitely a plan in place to keep him physically sharp and he'll continue to engage in the counseling that he's already begun," general manager Andrew Berry said on the Channel 5 telecast of the Browns' preseason finale against Chicago.
One of the stipulations for Watson's reinstatement with the league includes professional evaluation by behavior experts. He must follow their treatment program.
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Stefanski kept his final conversation with Watson private. However, he expressed confidence the guidelines would be followed and prove beneficial to Watson.
"Obviously, I visited with Deshaun today," Stefanski said. "I won't get into specifics. I think it's a great opportunity for him right now while he's away from this building to go work on football, work on himself, work on a bunch of different things."
When is Deshaun Watson able to play again in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns ?
Watson is scheduled to return to the field on Dec. 4 when he returns to Houston with the Browns. He was traded by the Texans along with a 2024 sixth-round pick, to Cleveland on March 18 in exchange for first-round picks in 2022, 2023 and 2024, a 2022 third-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick.
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Watson's suspension stems from allegations made by 26 women through the judicial system of sexual misconduct or sexual assault during massages. Of those, 24 resulted in lawsuits , 23 of which have been settled in the past month and a half.
The 11-game suspension was a settlement between Watson's side and the NFL after the league had appealed the original six-game suspension handed down by disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson . The league had been seeking an indefinite suspension of no less than a full season.
When did the Cleveland Browns sign Jacoby Brissett ?
Watson did play in the Browns' preseason opener in Jacksonville. He played the first three series, completing 1-of-5 passes for seven yards.
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Jacoby Brissett was signed the day after the Browns traded for Watson to be his backup. Brissett is slated to start in his place, with Joshua Dobbs serving as his backup.
Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com .
On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson begins NFL suspension
