Deshaun Watson appeared like a quarterback who hadn’t performed a regular-season NFL recreation in 700 days.
Watson made his debut for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in opposition to his former staff, the Houston Texans, and was met with boos in the beginning of the sport. Watson was traded from Houston to Cleveland earlier this yr as he confronted greater than two dozen civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault. He was by no means criminally charged and was suspended 11 video games to begin the season.
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Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns seems on throughout the second quarter in opposition to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Dec. 4, 2022, in Houston.
(Carmen Mandato/Getty Photographs)
However the rust was there.
Watson was 12 of twenty-two with 131 passing yards and an interception within the Browns’ 27-14 win, which was buoyed by the play of Cleveland’s particular groups and protection. Watson discovered Donovan Peoples-Jones thrice for 44 yards and Amari Cooper 4 occasions for 40 yards.
“I’ll simply say I felt each a type of 700 days,” Watson informed reporters after the sport through Sports activities Illustrated.
Cleveland didn’t rating on offense till a 43-yard discipline objective made it 17-8 with about 10 minutes remaining. Cleveland had two defensive scores within the recreation – a fumble-recovery landing from Denzel Ward and a Tony Fields II interception return for a landing. Peoples-Jones had a punt-return landing throughout the recreation as effectively.
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Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns speaks to the media after a recreation in opposition to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Dec. 4, 2022, in Houston.
(Carmen Mandato/Getty Photographs)
It was Watson’s first begin since Jan. 3, 2021, when he threw for 365 yards and three touchdowns in opposition to the Tennessee Titans. Quickly after that, he would request a commerce, and two months later, he was first accused of sexual misconduct on social media. Dozens of accusations in civil lawsuits adopted, claiming that Watson sexually assaulted therapeutic massage therapists throughout periods.
Texas grand juries declined to convey fees in opposition to Watson, and he settled 23 of the lawsuits throughout the season. He agreed to the 11-game suspension and a $5 million superb. He would additionally must endure skilled counseling and remedy for violating the league’s private conduct coverage.
Cleveland moved to 5-7 with the win.
Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns calls a play throughout the first quarter in opposition to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Dec. 4, 2022, in Houston.
(Carmen Mandato/Getty Photographs)
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Browns coach Kevin Stefanski insisted after the sport that Watson would stay the beginning quarterback regardless of the struggles.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
