Deshaun Watson’s treatment showing “progress” but Texans not having it
Despite Deshaun Watson showing “signs of progress”, fans from his former team greeted him with loud boos at NRG Stadium
Cleveland Browns Quarterback Deshaun Watson made his NFL return against his former team Sunday following an 11-game suspension for alleged sexual misconduct.
The Houston Texans hosted the Browns in a highly-anticipated matchup at NRG Stadium that saw Watson play for the first time since 700 days ago- when he was last seen in a regular-season game.
As part of the conditions that enabled the quarterback to return and be able to play Sunday, Watson has shown “signs of progress” during his mandatory treatment program, as described by the NFL and NFLPA.
Adam Schefter of ESPN announced that Watson’s treatment has him “progressing well’' and is “helping him” too.
But still, many fans from his former team, the Texans, did not show support for the 27-year-old today when Watson took the field. The quarterback was greeted with loud boos from the stadium.
Watson’s treatment program
Watson was suspended for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy after being accused by more than two dozen women of sexual assault and other inappropriate sexual misconduct during massage sessions. Besides being required to take part in the mandatory treatment program, he was also fined $5 million.
According to sources, though, Watson also “wants to continue with it (the program),” who feels like it’s “helping him.
“It’s just sort of ongoing as needed, and it’ll be ongoing until it’s not needed anymore. And I think it’s given him a lot of help and support. But this could take a while.”
For now, Watson is expected to stay in the treatment program with no end date in sight at this time, according to sources.
Watson has been an expensive guy
Cleveland traded for Watson in March, sending Houston three first-round draft picks. Additionally, they signed Watson to the richest contract in NFL history, a five-year $230 million deal.
The 27-year-old returned to practice with the Browns on Nov. 16 and has been allowed to work out at the team’s training facility and be present in team meetings since Oct. 10.
Watson, Browns 27-14 victory over Texans
Watson looked expectedly rusty in his first NFL start as he threw an end zone interception to finish with a stat line of 96 passing yards, one interception on 8-of-14 passing in the first half. But he ended up winning his first start with the Browns against his former team, 27-14.
Watson finished with 131 passing yards and an interception on 12-of-22 passing.