Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson is eligible to return to team practice on Monday, due to terms on his 11-game suspension.
Watson is still yet to make an appearance for the Browns as sexual harassment claims kept him out of the side after he traded from the Houston Texans in March. In August, NFL and the NFLPA reached a settlement, and Watson was suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 regular season and was fined $5million (£4.25m).
But as per the suspension agreement, Watson is free to begin practicing again once more, and is even eligible to start in week 13 against his former side, the Texans. The 27-year-old hasn't made an appearance since the 2020 season, but could be back for the Browns shortly.
Watson was drafted by the Texans in the first-round (12th overall pick) back in 2017, and started as he meant to go on with a quarterback rating of 103 after his first six games. Seasons with records of 11-5 and then 10-5 followed, but his best QBR came in what has turned out to be his last campaign until now.
A QBR rating of 112.4 came as Watson achieved career highs in passing yards, completions, attempts and passing touchdowns. But Watson didn't make an appearance in the 2021 season, and hasn't played since.
Watson was removed from the Texans side on grounds of "non-injury reasons/personal matter" to begin with, but later formally suspended. A total of 26 cases are said to have been filed against the NFL star by women surrounding sexual acts. The 27-year-old is believed to have made confidential settlement agreements with 23 of the 24 women.
Watson is yet to throw a competitive ball for the Browns, but signed a five-year guaranteed deal worth $230m (£196m) back in March. The agreement made it the largest contract and most guaranteed money in NFL history at the time.
The Browns are 3-6 for the season and have struggled under back-up quarterback Jacoby Brissett. The 29-year-old has thrown eight touchdowns all season, and five interceptions.
Nick Chubb as ever has been clutching it for the Browns, easing the job on the quarterback for now. Brissett's role is only going to get tougher though, as they face the Buffalo Bills and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before Watson is eligible to return.
