CLEVELAND — Effective at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson's 11-game suspension began.
What follows is everything you need to know about Watson's suspension, which comes as the result of three violations of the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.
Restrictions
As of Tuesday afternoon, when NFL teams were required to trim their respective rosters to 53 players, Watson was required to vacate the premises of the Browns' facility in Berea. He is not permitted to return or have contact with the team until midway through his suspension, which comes following Cleveland's Week 5 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 9.
On Oct. 10, Watson is permitted to return to the team's facility, but will initially only be allowed to participate in limited activities, including team meetings and weight training.
On Nov. 14 -- one day after the Browns' Week 10 matchup against the Miami Dolphins -- Watson is eligible to return to practice for the final two weeks of his suspension. He is eligible to become fully reinstated on Nov. 28, one day after Cleveland hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12.
On Dec. 4, Watson is eligible to make his 2022 debut as the Browns face his former team, the Houston Texans. It will mark Watson's first NFL regular season game since Jan. 3, 2021, as he proceeded to sit out the entirety of the 2021 season amid a trade demand and accusations of sexual misconduct.
In addition to his 11-game suspension, Watson was issued a $5 million fine and ordered to undergo mandatory counseling. His punishment comes as the result of a settlement that was reached between the NFL and NFL Players Association after the NFL appealed a six-game suspension that was issued by former U.S. District Judge and jointly appointed league disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson.