Watson 'strongly denies' assault claims, says attorney

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson "strongly denies" the latest sexual assault allegations made against him, his attorney said on Wednesday.

An unidentified woman is seeking $1m (£764,000) in damages after filing a civil lawsuit against the 28-year-old in Houston, Texas on Monday.

The incident allegedly occurred while the pair were on a date in October 2020.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, meanwhile, says Watson will face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday after playing in last weekend's season-opening defeat against the Dallas Cowboys.

Stefanski said he was unaware of the allegations before the lawsuit was filed and had not considered leaving Watson out.

"Deshaun strongly denies the allegations," said Watson's attorney Rusty Hardin in a statement on Wednesday, adding they were "comfortable he will ultimately be vindicated".

"In the meantime, Deshaun is going to focus his energy and concentration on football."

The NFL said on Tuesday it would be reviewing the allegations against Watson, who was suspended for 11 games without pay and fined $5m (£3.83m) in August 2022 following an investigation into multiple sexual misconduct allegations.

Watson denied the claims, and two grand juries ruled there was not enough evidence to charge him. He later reached confidential settlements with 23 of the 24 women in the summer of 2022.

Watson has only made 13 starts for the Browns since he joined from the Houston Texans on a five-year deal worth a then-NFL-record $230m (£174.4m) in March 2022.