NFL reportedly wants Deshaun Watson suspended for one full season

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio revealed on Thursday that the NFL Players Association "is bracing for a recommendation by the league of 'unprecedented' punishment" of Cleveland Browns star quarterback Deshaun Watson, who reportedly will soon be facing a total of 26 active civil lawsuits regarding allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions. 

There is yet another indication that the NFL is on the verge of dropping a ban-hammer down on Watson.

Mark Maske of The Washington Post reported Friday afternoon that the NFL will "argue" Watson deserves a "'significant' suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy." Maske adds that sources close to Watson's side of the case say the NFL will "probably" seek to suspend the 26-year-old for one entire season. 

Watson has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has had two grand juries decline to indict him.

Maske reports that former United States District Judge Sue L. Robinson, the disciplinary officer jointly appointed by the NFL and union, will soon receive the findings of the league investigation. The hope is any punishment and subsequent appeal will be wrapped up before the Browns open training camp on July 27. 

The matter will be closed in the league's eyes if Robinson rules Watson didn't violate the personal conduct policy. 

Earlier in the day, Florio noted that the NFL and NFLPA could work out "a negotiated resolution" regarding Watson's punishment that likely would involve the signal-caller admitting he "did something he shouldn’t have done" during the massage sessions in question. 

Veteran Jacoby Brissett is Cleveland's primary backup and would become the club's QB1 if Watson is ineligible for any games this fall.