Deshaun Watson’s authorized state of affairs has the Browns in a precarious state of affairs so near coaching camp, in accordance with Cleveland working again Kareem Hunt.
“Yeah, it’s undoubtedly tense for them,” Hunt mentioned on Wednesday, per Cleveland.com. Wednesday additionally marked the second day of Watson’s disciplinary listening to with the NFL over a number of sexual assault allegations in opposition to him.
“It’s powerful as a result of they’re making an attempt to determine what items they’ve received for the season and what performs they wish to put in,” Hunt mentioned. “There’s completely different performs for Deshaun and [backup] Jacoby [Brissett], completely different playbook, various things we are able to do at quarterback.”
Final week, Watson’s lawyer introduced that the previous Texans quarterback agreed to settle 20 of the 24 civil lawsuits filed in opposition to him by therapeutic massage therapists alleging sexual misconduct. Watson has maintained his innocence because the allegations have been first made public in March 2021. The NFL, in the meantime, is searching for at the very least a one-year suspension, in accordance with the Related Press.
“I imply, I actually don’t know an excessive amount of about the entire state of affairs,” mentioned Hunt, including that he’s centered on himself and feeling 100% after struggling calf and ankle accidents final season. “If he misses it, it’s a next-man-up mentality. I’m going to be able to play, and I do know the remainder of the crew continues to be going to be able to play. We didn’t have Deshaun final 12 months or the years earlier than.
“We do [talk about it], however we’re extra nervous about ourselves. It’s a enterprise, man, that’s the largest factor. You’ve received to fret about your self, as a result of if you happen to don’t you might not be right here.”
Hunt mentioned he hasn’t spoken to Watson in regards to the strategy of ready for a league suspension. The Professional Bowl working again was lower by the Chiefs and given an eight-game suspension in 2018 after video of him assaulting a girl in a Cleveland resort as revealed by TMZ.
“Yeah, we talked a bit of bit, for positive,” Hunt mentioned. “I’m going to maintain it between us, however, yeah. It’s loads, so I simply want him the very best, inform him to maintain his head up and hopefully issues work out.”
The Browns’ acquisition of Watson — in March they traded with the Texans for the quarterback, then inked him to a fully-guaranteed deal price $230 million — resulted in Baker Mayfield requesting a commerce. Mayfield, who was drafted first general by Cleveland in 2018, mentioned he believes each side are “prepared to maneuver on” whereas discussing his state of affairs this week at his youth camp in Norman, Okla. He didn’t shut the door on taking part in for Cleveland within the occasion that Watson is suspended for all the season, although.
“Nah, I feel for that to occur there must be some reaching out,” Mayfield mentioned, referring to Browns brass.
“I talked to him a month or two in the past,” Hunt mentioned of Mayfield, who stays on the Browns roster however was excused from the crew’s necessary minicamp earlier this month. “He’s doing good. He was saying he’s healed up fairly good from the [shoulder] surgical procedure he had. He’s good now.”
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