An 11-game suspension and $5 million fine have been agreed upon by the NFL and its players union for Deshaun Watson's punishment for alleged sexual misconduct.
During Watson's camp and the NFL's settlement talks, former New Jersey Attorney General Peter C. Harvey, Goodell's designee, determined his own ruling, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano.
The settlement was reached after Watson played in Goodell's second preseason game at Jacksonville, and Goodell called Watson's behavior "egregious" and "predatory.”
Watson is now poised to return to regular-season action on Dec. 4 when he will face his former team, the Texans, in Houston for the first time since being released.
In a previous report, the Associated Press reported that Watson was willing to serve an eight-game suspension and pay a $5 million fine.
Watson was the subject of an investigation into allegations of se**ual harassment and s**ual assault that lasted over a year.
Watson has been accused of s**ual misconduct by more than two dozen women during massage therapy sessions.
In March 2021, 25 women filed lawsuits against Watson. A plaintiff dropped her case due to privacy concerns, but the other two dozen remained active until June '22, when 20 settlements were reached.
Two Texas grand juries declined to indict Watson on criminal charges this spring. Watson has denied wrongdoing.
Ahead of Cleveland's preseason game against Jacksonville, he apologized publicly for the first time without admitting to any specific offenses.