Browns’ Deshaun Watson ‘strongly denies’ latest sexual assault allegations

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson denied the latest sexual assault and battery allegations filed against him in a lawsuit stemming from an alleged 2020 incident.

“Deshaun strongly denies the allegations in the Jane Doe lawsuit filed Monday,” Watson’s attorney Rusty Hardin said in a statement on Wednesday. “We have asked him to not comment further while the matter works its way through the courts, but are comfortable he will ultimately be vindicated.

“We will be ready to defend this case in court at the appropriate time, but don’t intend to conduct our defense in the media. We would ask that people be patient while the legal process runs its course.

“In the meantime, Deshaun is going to focus his energy and concentration on football.”

Addressing media on Wednesday, the QB stayed on message.

“I focus on keeping the main thing the main thing,” Watson said. “That’s when I walk into this building, focusing on being the best quarterback that I can be, on the game plan and trying to be better than we were last week so we can get a W.”

Watson is being sued for sexual assault, battery and intentional inflection of emotional distress in the new lawsuit filed Monday in Houston.

The individual is seeking compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $1 million.

Under the “Jane Doe” pseudonym, the individual alleges she had a date set with Watson for Oct. 10, 2020. Watson could not find her apartment and then called her, allegedly “aggressively yelling and screaming and stating that he could not find her apartment and that he ‘doesn’t have time for this.’”

Watson eventually made it to her spot and she allegedly later found him “completely naked” face-down on her bed and then “aggressively insisted” she massage his buttocks.

Watson allegedly became upset that she would not massage him where he wanted before grabbing her leg and laying her down.

“Watson then partially disrobed Jane Doe and penetrated her vagina without consent, implicit or explicit. Jane Doe felt paralyzed, unsure if she should risk her safety by trying to stop Watson or endure his assault. Watson roughly sexually assaulted Jane Doe for several minutes in a ‘missionary position’ before grabbing her and flipping her over,” the lawsuit reads. “Watson continued to assault Doe aggressively from behind. Jane Doe finally gathered the courage and strength to escape Watson. Jane Doe quickly ran to her dresser to grab a heavy piece of décor for self-defense, and yelled at Watson (to) get out of her apartment. Enraged, Watson stormed out of Jane Doe’s apartment.”

This lawsuit carries some similar elements to the more than 20 previously filed against Watson.

Twenty-four civil lawsuits were filed against Watson alleging sexual harassment or assault during private massage sessions while he played for the Texans from 2017-21, and 23 were settled confidentially.

Watson received an 11-game suspension during the 2022 season and a $5 million fine.

The NFL is looking into this latest lawsuit but is not preventing Watson from suiting up.

“We are reviewing the complaint, and we will look into the matter under the personal conduct policy. Not looking at commissioner’s exempt list as there’s been no formal charges and the league’s review has just begun,” league spokesperson Brian McCarthy said Tuesday.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Wednesday that Watson will play Sunday against Jacksonville while the team lets the “due process play out.”

Both playoff hopefuls are looking to avoid 0-2 starts.

Watson played a large role in why the Browns started the season with a loss, completing 24 of 45 passes for 169 yards, adding one touchdown and two interceptions in the 33-17 home loss to the Cowboys.

The veteran has not played well since the Browns traded six draft picks, including three first-rounders, to land Watson and then sign him to a guaranteed five-year contract.