The Cleveland Browns will have their third day of training camp starting early Friday afternoon but clarity at quarterback is not coming. A month ago, the disciplinary hearing for QB Deshaun Watson was completed. Over two weeks ago, Judge Sue Robinson required briefing papers from both the NFL and NFLPA on the case.
Now, with training camp underway, the Browns and Watson remain dealing with uncertainty.
If the team is expecting any kind of suspension, HC Kevin Stefanski can prepare for Jacoby Brissett to be the starting quarterback for Week 1.
Unfortunately for those hoping for closure on the issue, that won’t be coming today according to a report from the Associated Press:
Two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that retired judge Sue L. Robinson is not issuing a ruling Friday on Watson’s disciplinary hearing that concluded a month ago.
On top of that, the report does not provide any hope for a quick resolution next week only noting “will continue into another week.”
Judge Robinson is not under any timeline in her role. The start of training camp seemed like a perfect artificial deadline but that has come and gone. Even the start of the NFL season, a month and a half away, is not a requirement for Robinson’s ruling.
While she is retired as a federal judge, Robinson works at a legal practice and, likely, has other cases she is working on at this time as well.
