CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson practiced Monday, marking the first step in his return to the NFL after an 11-game suspension.
The league settled with Watson to sit out 11 games, pay a $5 million fine, and undergo counseling and treatment in August after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions.
So far, Watson has been permitted only to attend meetings and work out at the team’s facility. The Browns (3-6) don’t practice until Wednesday, when Watson rejoins his teammates.
Watson will make his Browns debut on Dec. 4 against Houston, the team that drafted him in 2017 and traded him to Cleveland in March.
After sitting out the entire 2021 season while demanding a trade, Browns general manager Andrew Berry recently confirmed Watson will play against the Texans.
When he played for Houston, Watson said he did not harass any of the women who accused him of lewd behavior during massage sessions. He settled 23 of 24 lawsuits.
He was not indicted by two grand juries.