NFL 'will monitor developments' in new lawsuit against Browns' Deshaun Watson

It was reported Thursday that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is facing a new civil lawsuit alleging acts of sexual misconduct during a massage session. 

NFL chief spokesperson Brian McCarthy responded to that news on Friday. 

"Watson’s status remains unchanged," McCarthy told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio in an email. "We will monitor developments in the newly-filed litigation; and any conduct that warrants further investigation or possible additional sanctions would be addressed within the Personal Conduct Policy." 

Watson is serving an 11-game suspension regarding much-publicized allegations of sexual misconduct after his legal team previously settled 23 of 24 civil lawsuits brought against him. The 27-year-old returned to the team's facility on Monday for the first time since his ban officially began in late August, and it was reported that same day that the signal-caller "is on track" to meet the terms for his eventual reinstatement to the active roster. 

As things stand today, Watson could be eligible to make his Browns regular-season debut at the Houston Texans, his former club, in Week 13 on Dec. 4.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero (h/t Grant Gordon) said Thursday evening that the latest civil lawsuit "and any others alleging the same conduct to have occurred prior to Aug. 18 when Watson was officially fined and suspended" would not make Watson subject to further league discipline. McCarthy neither confirmed nor denied that through Friday's email.