NFL hoping to keep Deshaun Watson off field for preseason opener

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed that the league is looking for appeals officer and former New Jersey Attorney General Peter C. Harvey to rule that Deshaun Watson is suspended for an entire season. Disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson initially recommended a six-game ban regarding allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions.

As things stand on Wednesday afternoon, Watson remains eligible to participate in training camp practices, and the 26-year-old is on track to travel with teammates and take the field during Friday's preseason opener at the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, a new update claims that Watson could potentially be removed from the Browns' active roster as soon as this week. 

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the NFL is asking that Watson be suspended not just for one year but immediately. Florio adds that a source close to the NFL Players Association, which could challenge such a decision in federal court, says the union is "ready" if Harvey rules against Watson at any point before Friday's contest. 

"There were multiple violations that were egregious, and it was predatory behavior," Goodell said Tuesday about Judge Robinson's findings of Watson's alleged conduct, per Jeff Legwold of ESPN. Florio added that those words from Goodell made it clear that "the league surely doesn’t want to see Watson in an NFL uniform on an NFL field, with highlights played on NFL Network." 

It's unknown when Harvey will announce his decision.