NFL comments on Watson's contact with official

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

NFL comments on Deshaun Watson's contact with official

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 9/19/23

The NFL has commented on Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson's contact with an official during the team's "Monday Night Football" loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2.

The league said that there is occasional "inadvertent contact" between players and officials during games and in the referees' "judgement" Watson's incident on Monday "did not rise to the level of a foul."

So no suspension or other discipline expected for #Browns QB Deshaun Watson related his contact with an official. Watson could be fined for two facemask penalties. But he’ll be able to play Week 3 vs. the #Titans. https://t.co/55DRRH9W4m
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 19, 2023

The situation in question came as Watson and the Browns had possession with just over five minutes left in the third quarter and a 22-19 lead.

Here's a look at Watson pushing the official aside.https://t.co/9OCSaE5vFx pic.twitter.com/pIruCgcCpS
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 19, 2023

Both Cleveland and the three-time Pro Bowl signal-caller had a very rough Monday night, as they not only lost 26-22 to an AFC North divisional foe but saw star running back Nick Chubb suffer a season-ending knee injury as well.

Watson had a brutal game against a suffocating Pittsburgh defense, finishing 22-for-40 with 235 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception for a 70.3 quarterback rating. Watson was sacked six times for 25 yards and lost two fumbles as well.

After the Browns controversially traded for the former Clemson star and he served his 11-game suspension, Watson's six-game stretch to close the 2022 campaign was uneven at best. Through two contests in 2023, things haven't looked much better.

Watson has started the year 38-for-69 with 389 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for a 69.1 quarterback rating.

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