Grand jury considering another criminal charge against Browns QB Deshaun Watson

A second grand jury in Texas will hear evidence related to an accusation of sexual misconduct against Deshaun Watson, according to multiple reports.

The New York Times reported on Thursday that a grand jury in Brazoria county, south of Houston, is considering a criminal complaint from a woman who claims Watson performed a sexual act during a massage in November 2020 when he was the quarterback of the Texans.

The Texans traded Watson to the Cleveland Browns last Friday.

Watson is facing 22 civil lawsuits from women who accuse him of various forms of sexual misconduct, and he could be disciplined by the NFL. A grand jury in Harris county, Texas, declined to indict Watson criminally in connection with any of the cases earlier this month, setting the wheels in motion to trade the quarterback to Cleveland.

“It’s not a new complaint,” Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, told Fox 8 in Houston.

Tony Buzbee, who represents the complainant, said a decision is expected either Thursday or Friday.

“We continue to closely monitor all developments in the matter,” the NFL said in a statement on Thursday.

Back in Cleveland, Watson reportedly passed his physical on Thursday and is expected to participate in his introductory press conference on Friday.

The Browns sent five draft picks – including three in the first round – to the Texans for Watson and a 2024 fifth-round pick. Watson and the Browns agreed to terms on a five-year contract with an NFL-record $230m guaranteed.

Cleveland owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement on Sunday they did their due diligence before making the trade.

Buzbee, who represents each of the plaintiffs, said the Browns didn’t contact him.

“I didn’t expect them to but I would’ve taken their call, and if they