(Reuters) – The Cleveland Browns returned quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has faced allegations of sexually assaulting women, to their 53-man roster on Monday after an 11-game suspension without pay for violating the National Football League’s personal conduct policy.
Watson, a three-times Pro Bowl selection, is expected to start Sunday’s away game against his former team, the Houston Texans.
“He’s done a nice jobs with his time away – physically staying sharp, mentally staying sharp – so I think he’ll be ready to roll,” Brown head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters on Monday.
An independent disciplinary officer found that Watson violated league policy after more than 20 women came forward last year and filed lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault.
Watson denied the allegations and two Texas grand juries declined to indict him.
Cleveland also announced it has waived backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Will Dunham)
