Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson scheduled for NFL disciplinary hearing on Tuesday

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is scheduled to meet with the NFL on Tuesday as he awaits the results of an investigation and possible suspension for violating the league personal conduct policy, according to ESPN.

Sue L. Robinson is the NFL’s appointed disciplinary officer for the case and tasked with making the final decision on Watson’s potential suspension. There is still no timetable for the decision, with sources telling ESPN it could happen as soon as this week or as late as the start of training camp in July. Once a decision is made, both the NFL and Watson will have the option to appeal the ruling and commissioner Roger Goodell can either rule on the appeal or call on in an independent ruler on it.

Robinson, a former a member of Delaware’s district court for more than 25 years, now looms as one the most influential people of the upcoming 2022 NFL season. She primarily has worked on cases involving patent disputes — including the billion dollar stent litigation — but also numerous trademark infringement and antitrust disputes. During her tenure, she served as the first woman Chief Judge for the District of Delaware, as well as being selected to serve on the Judicial Conference of the United States.

The investigation comes after Watson faced accusations of sexual assault from 24 different women. The quarterback was not criminally charged in any of the cases and reached a settlement in 20 of the 24 civil cases against him earlier this week. Despite this, many still believe Watson will face some form of punishment from the NFL. The question that remains is how much, with NFL insider Ian Rapoport recently estimating anywhere from four to 10 games.

The NFL is likely to base its proposed discipline on only a fraction of those women’s testimony, one source told ESPN, as the league was unable to speak with a portion of the women who interacted with Deshaun Watson.

A three-time Pro Bowler, Watson did not play at all during the 2021 season as criminal investigations against him loomed. After he was cleared of charges, he was traded to Cleveland this offseason and received a five-year contract worth $230 million. With all but four of the cases against him now reaching a resolution, the NFL investigation is one of the biggest hurdles remaining in the way of his return.