Browns QB Deshaun Watson suspended 6 games for violating NFL's personal conduct policy: reports

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games Monday for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy following accusations of sexual misconduct made against him by two dozen women in Texas, two people familiar with the decision said.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision had not been publicly released. Watson, who played for four seasons with Houston before being traded to Cleveland in March, recently settled 23 of 24 lawsuits filed by women alleging sexual harassment and assault during massage therapy appointments in 2020 and 2021.

The league had pushed for an indefinite suspension of at least one year and at least a $5 million US fine for the 26-year-old Watson during a three-day hearing before Robinson in June.

Watson can continue to practice and play in exhibition games before his suspension begins the first week of the regular season. He would be eligible to return on Oct. 23 when the Browns play at Baltimore.

After learning the ruling was imminent, the NFL Players Association issued a joint statement with Watson on Sunday night, saying they will not appeal Robinson's ruling and urged the league to follow suit.

"Every player, owner, business partner and stakeholder deserves to know that our process is legitimate and will not be tarnished based on the whims of the League office" the union said in a statement.

As he awaited the ruling, Watson has been in training camp with the Browns. He has continued to take most of the reps with the first-team offence, which will be turned over to backup Jacoby Brissett while he's sidelined.

While the NFL pushed for a severe penalty, the union had argued Watson shouldn't be punished at all because he was not convicted of any crime.