Lengthy ban for Watson: report

Deshaun Watson is bracing to miss the entire season.

The Washington Post reported Friday that someone in Watson’s camp believes the NFL will “probably” seek a suspension of a year for myriad sexual misconduct claims against the quarterback from female massage therapists.

An NFL source told the Post to be “careful” about jumping to conclusions regarding the specific length of Watson’s apparently looming suspension — but that any potential ban would nonetheless be “significant.”

Earlier this week, ProFootballTalk reported that the NFL Players Association would be expected to mount an aggressive defense on Watson’s behalf. Defense against harsh punishment has generally been an uphill battle once the NFL makes a ruling under its personal conduct policy, however, due to a collective bargaining agreement that grants the league and commissioner Roger Goodell wide latitude.

The 26-year-old Watson was traded from the Texans to the Browns this past offseason and proceeded to sign a fiveyear, $230 million contract that was fully guaranteed.

He has been sued by more than 20 Houston-area massage therapists for alleged sexual misconduct. Two accusers shared lurid details of their interactions with Watson on HBO’s “Real Sports.”

A recent New York Times report revealed that Watson used “at least” 66 different female massage therapists in a 17-month stretch between 2019 and 2021 and said the Texans provided both the site for some of the massages and a nondisclosure agreement for one of the women.

Two Texas grand juries declined to indict Watson on criminal charges.

The civil litigation is pending, and will not be resolved before the end of this upcoming football season unless the two sides — Watson is represented by Rusty Hardin, and all of the plaintiffs are represented by Tony Buzbee — reach a settlement.