Browns' Deshaun Watson declines to comment on new allegations

To the surprise of nobody who has heard him discuss the subject since March, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski offered non-answers when he was asked early Wednesday afternoon about the New York Times story released on Tuesday that reports star quarterback Deshaun Watson booked appointments with at least 66 different women for massages from fall 2019 through spring 2021.

Watson is facing 24 active civil lawsuits regarding allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions and did not speak with reporters on Wednesday. Per Tom Withers of The Associated Press, the 26-year-old was given an opportunity to address the New York Times piece and/or the lawsuits after he signed autographs for school kids and fans following Wednesday's practice. 

Watson declined and instead said attorney Rusty Hardin and/or agent David Mulugheta will handle such statements. Hardin's office didn't immediately respond to an AP request for comment. 

The three-time Pro Bowl selection last fielded questions from media members on March 25. 

Watson joined the Browns via a trade from the Houston Texans in March and has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Two grand juries declined to indict the signal-caller, but it was learned later on Wednesday that Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing the women suing Watson, will "soon be joining the Houston Texans organization and others as defendants" in the lawsuits over their supposed roles in the alleged incidents. 

In a statement, Buzbee said the Texans "facilitated Deshaun Watson's conduct," "provided the opportunity for this conduct to occur" and were "well aware of Watson's issues, but failed to act." 

It remains unknown when the NFL will announce if it will suspend Watson for violating its code of conduct. Backup Jacoby Brissett is the next man up on Cleveland's depth chart and is preparing to start if Watson is made unavailable to play for any portion of the 2022 season.