CLEVELAND BROWNS
Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns' circus continue: Deshaun Watson suspended during season, will play preseason

Quarterback will have his first game for his new team against the Jaguars

Deshaun Watson.
Deshaun Watson.AP
Actualizado

Deshaun Watson's story with the Cleveland Browns hasn't started on the gridiron, but it looks like a long story off the gridiron and this Wednesday there is another chapter to tell that is strikingly striking given the circumstances of his suspension and immediate future in the NFL.

The Browns themselves have announced that they will have the vast majority of their starters playing in their first preseason game which will take place next Friday when they visit TIAA Bank Field to face the Jacksonville Jaguars, that includes their passer coming over from the Houston Texans.

Goodell: NFL appeal of Watson suspension 'right thing to do'AP/ESPN

Browns training camp "on fire"

Browns training camp is metaphorically on fire because following Sue L. Robinson's recommended six-game suspension of Watson, the NFL has decided to appeal that decision by seeking a higher punishment, which presumably could be for the full season, although according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the league would seek to make it an indefinite suspension.

Watson was traded from Houston to Cleveland last March, the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback signed an unprecedented five-year, $230 million contract (fully guaranteed), however, with the punishment he suffered for violating the NFL's code of conduct after being the subject of multiple sexual misconduct lawsuits, the decision to put Watson on preseason waivers draws significant attention.

Browns QB Deshaun Watson suspended for six gamesAP

Will it serve the Browns well for Watson to play in preseason?

In what could be an unhelpful debut, Watson is entitled to play preseason as the punishment begins during the regular season, however, with no specific time frame for Peter C. Harvey to hear and make a decision regarding the aforementioned appeal.

In the meantime, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has also made a statement, telling Mark Maske of the Washington Post that "we'll respect and honor the process" with respect to the decision made in the appeal of Watson's punishment.

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