Sex assault claims against Watson reviewed
The NFL is conducting a review of the allegations of sexual assault and harassment by Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson under its personal conduct policy.
The NFL’S action comes after three civil lawsuits filed by massage therapists against the threetime Pro Bowl selection by Houston-based attorney Tony Buzbee.
“The matter is under review of the personal conduct policy,” an NFL spokesman said in an email.
Under NFL rules, players can be punished even if they’re not facing criminal charges.
Earlier Thursday, Buzbee posted — and later deleted — a letter from NFL special counsel in charge of investigations Lisa Friel that included a ‘confidential’ notation and her contact information. Buzbee later reposted it without Friel’s phone number.
“I am the Special Counsel for Investigations at the National Football League and it is my job to look into any allegations that might involve a violation of the League’s Personal Conduct Policy,” Friel wrote to Buzbee in a letter Thursday. “I became aware of the lawsuits you filed
yesterday, as well as the one you file this morning, which contain various allegations of misconduct by Houston Texans player Deshaun Watson.”
Fuller, Dolphins agree to 1-year deal
The Miami Dolphins are signing former Houston Texans wide
receiver Will Fuller to a one-year contract, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.
Fuller is suspended for the first game of next season after serving the first five games of a six-game suspension last year for a violation of the NFL’S performance-enhancing drug policy.
Fuller caught a career-high 53 passes for 879 yards and eight touchdowns before the suspension.
Buccaneers’ Godwin signs $15.98M tender
Tampa Bay receiver Chris Godwin signed his franchise tender worth $15.983 million and fully guaranteed for the 2021 season.
In four seasons, Godwin has earned a total of $4.64 million as a third-round pick out of Penn State in 2017. He earned a base salary of $2.133 million in 2020.
Godwin, 25, overcame injuries last season to catch 65 passes for 840 yards and seven touchdowns. He led the Bucs in receiving in 2019 with 86 receptions for 1,333 yards and nine TDS while earning his first Pro Bowl selection.
Raiders adding Drake to running back mix
The Raiders have gotten Josh Jacobs some much-needed help at running back.
Kenyan Drake, who gained 955 yards and scored 10 touchdowns last season for the Arizona Cardinals, agreed to a freeagent deal with the Raiders Thursday. The transaction was first reported by Drake’s agency on Twitter and confirmed by a team source.
At 6-foot-1, 211 pounds, Drake is a no-nonsense runner who fits the mold Jon Gruden likes in his running backs. His 239 carries, 955 yards and 10 touchdowns were all career highs. In five seasons, Drake has 695 carries for 3,130 yards and he averages 4.5 yards per carry.
Trubisky heading to Bills as backup
The Buffalo Bills agreed to sign former Chicago Bears starter Mitch Trubisky to a one-year contract to serve as Josh Allen’s primary backup.
Trubisky was the No. 2 pick in the 2017 draft who has struggled through inconsistencies since leading the Bears to the playoffs in 2018.
Trubisky went 29-21 with Chicago and lost the confidence of the team prior to last season. The Bears declined to pick up the fifth-year option on the quarterback’s contract, while also acquiring Nick Foles in a trade with Jacksonville.