(Cleveland) Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has resolved the latest civil lawsuit filed against him by a woman who claimed he was sexually assaulted and beaten.
The plaintiff’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, said in a text message to The Associated Press Monday evening that his client’s complaint against Watson was resolved confidentially.
Buzbee had threatened to have his client speak to the NFL, which had opened an investigation against Watson. It is not yet known whether Watson will face further sanctions from the league.
A Goodell Circuit spokesman declined to comment in an email to The Associated Press.
The quarterback was suspended the first 11 games of 2022 for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage therapy sessions.
Watson was also fined US$5 million and had to undergo a mandatory evaluation before being reinstated by the league.
The new lawsuit was filed on September 9 in Harris County, Texas. The unidentified woman alleged that Watson sexually assaulted her in 2020 during a dinner party at her apartment. She demanded damages of more than 1 million.
Watson, who is in his third season with the Browns after being acquired in a controversial trade with the Texans, had strongly denied the allegations.
The 29-year-old has already settled nearly two dozen civil lawsuits.
Watson’s career in Cleveland did not go as he or the team had hoped after the Browns gave him a $230 million contract. He had just six starts last season before breaking a bone in his right shoulder during a game and undergoing surgery.
Then this season, he struggled with the Browns’ new offense to the point where head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked after Sunday’s loss to the Washington Commanders if it was possible that he leaves Watson aside for the next match.
Stefanoski said he remains loyal to Watson and reiterated that Monday.