Deshaun Watson blindsided by new sexual assault trial, focused on Sunday’s game

“I found out about it at the exact same time everybody else did,” said Watson, who is expected to start Sunday at Jacksonville.

According to the complaint, the woman, known only as “Jane Doe,” claims Watson “sexually assaulted” her for several minutes during a dinner at his apartment.

During his weekly media availability, Watson said he was surprised by the allegations, adding that he did not know whether the woman’s attorney had contacted her legal representation 10 months ago to seek a resolution, as her attorney, Tony Buzbee, claims.

“I haven’t heard anything,” Watson said before practice. “I haven’t spoken to anybody, so I’m not sure. I’m not aware of that.”

Watson’s appearance on the dais came about an hour after his attorney, Rusty Hardin, released a statement saying the QB “strongly denies” the allegations in the lawsuit.

The NFL said Tuesday it would review the case to determine whether Watson violated the league’s personal conduct policy.

Watson was suspended 11 games in 2022 — months after the Browns signed him to a five-year, fully guaranteed, $230 million contract — and fined $5 million after an independent arbitrator reviewed allegations of sexual misconduct and assault made against him by more than two dozen women during massage therapy sessions.

Hardin said he and Watson were “confident that he will ultimately be exonerated. We will be prepared to defend this case in court at the appropriate time, but we do not intend to conduct our defense in the media. We ask that people be patient as the legal process plays out.”

Watson did not repeat the same denial, choosing instead to rely on Hardin’s statement as “exactly what I feel and what we’re going through this process with.”

As Watson spoke, Buzbee fired back on Instagram, claiming he had reached out to Hardin about a settlement.

“We knew this was the most serious and egregious case ever brought against Watson to date and our client, who is understandably traumatized by these events, wanted to attempt a private resolution,” Buzbee said. “Unfortunately, Watson’s team or perhaps his attorneys were unable or unwilling to give this case the attention it deserved.”

Buzbee, who represented most of the other women in previous trials, said the QB was aware of his client’s claims.

“Watson was fully aware of this victim and her claims immediately after the fact,” Buzbee said, “and Watson was reminded of that again when we filed the first lawsuit for the other multiple victims. … He is fully aware of what he did. This case is strong and now that we have filed it, we are going to pursue it vigorously.”

Buzbee said he was contacted by Hardin and his team. He added that he had heard from the NFL’s attorney “and he will respond in due course.”

Watson settled 23 of 24 civil suits before being suspended in 2022. Depending on the league’s findings, the three-time Pro Bowler could be sidelined again, but he said he hasn’t thought about possible punishment.

“I’m focused on Jacksonville’s defensive scheme and my ability to be the best quarterback I can be on Sunday for this team,” he said. “That’s something the NFL has to do on its own time and I have to focus on what’s in front of me right now.”

The new lawsuit is the latest twist in Watson’s eventful career with the Browns. He made just 13 starts in his three seasons with Cleveland because of his suspension and a serious right shoulder injury in 2023.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he has no plans to bench the QB this week in light of the new allegations.

“We’ll let the process play out properly and follow the NFL’s guidelines,” Stefanski said.

Watson played poorly in Cleveland’s season opener, his first game since undergoing surgery in November to repair a fractured shoulder. He was hesitant, inaccurate and held the ball too long, drawing boos from the home crowd.

He finished with 24-of-45 completions for 169 yards with one touchdown, two interceptions and a passer rating of 51.1. Watson was sacked six times and picked off 17 passes as the Cowboys defense went after a Browns line without its starting tackles.

Watson then revealed that his father and a close friend had passed away in the days leading up to the match.

“I’m not going to sit here and make excuses for anything that happens off the field, what happens on the field,” he said. “I just have to be better this week, and I will be.”