Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK

Deshaun Watson can return to Browns facility next week; not allowed to practice until November

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 10/4/22

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is still serving his 11-game suspension, but starting next week he will be eligible to return to the team's practice facility where he will be able to work out on his own.

He is not eligible to start practicing and doing team drills with the teams until November and will be eligible to play in the Browns' 12th game of the season against his former team, the Houston Texans.

This is the last week that Deshaun Watson won’t be in the #Browns training facility. He’s eligible to come back Oct. 10, though won’t be allowed to start practicing again until Nov. 14.
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) October 3, 2022

Watson was suspended 11 games by the NFL after he faced two dozen lawsuits from women that accused him of sexual misconduct during massages. He has settled 23 of those lawsuits.

He was initially given a six-game suspension, but the NFL appealed that ruling and pushed for a full-season suspension. Eventually, the NFL and NFLPA agreed to the 11-game ban and a $5 million fine.

Watson has not actually played in an NFL game since the 2020 season after sitting out the entirety of the 2021 season while he was still a member of the Texans. It remains to be seen what sort of game shape he will be in when he returns after nearly two full seasons away. He will be eligible to play in the Browns' final six games of the season, four of which will be on the road. Three of those games will be against AFC North opponents.

Despite the lawsuits and the inevitable suspension that everybody knew was on the horizon, the Browns still gave up multiple first-round draft picks to acquire him and then signed him to a fully guaranteed $250 million contract extension.

The Browns have been using veteran Jacoby Brissett in Watson's absence, and he has played well in helping lead the team to a 2-2 start that has them tied for first place in the AFC North.

Brissett and the Browns host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

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