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NFL reviewing latest allegation against Deshaun Watson

Tue Sep 10 2:15pm ET
Field Level Media

The NFL said it is reviewing the latest allegations made against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson under the league's personal conduct policy.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy added in his statement on Tuesday that the commissioner's exempt list is not being considered because "there's been no formal charges and the league's review has just begun."

A woman in Houston filed a civil lawsuit against Watson on Monday, seeking $1 million in damages, claiming that he committed sexual assault and battery ahead of a dinner date at her apartment in October 2020.

The Browns issued a statement. "We will respect the due process our legal system affords regarding the recently filed civil suit and follow the NFL's guidelines on this matter."

According to the lawsuit, Watson, who was playing for the Houston Texans at the time, met the woman identified as "Jane Doe" at a local restaurant, got her number and suggested that the two go out on a date at a mall. The woman didn't want to be in public with Watson, leading her to propose the dinner date at her apartment.

Before Watson even arrived at her residence, the woman alleges that he called her and yelled at her on the phone because he struggled to find where she lived. He eventually showed up, and the suit states that after getting ready in the bathroom, the woman returned to her bedroom, where Watson was "completely naked on her bed, lying face down on his stomach."

Watson then demanded a massage, motioning toward his knees and groin, per the lawsuit. The woman said she was not a masseuse, but Watson proceeded to ask her if there was anything she would rather do instead.

The suit states that the woman didn't have time to answer before Watson "partially disrobed (her) and penetrated her vagina without consent, implicit or explicit." After being sexually assaulted for "several minutes," the woman was able to break free from Watson, and she grabbed a heavy object to protect herself.

Watson was "enraged" as he "stormed out of" the woman's apartment to end the alleged interaction, the suit states.

Back in 2022, Watson was suspended for 11 games after more than 24 women came forward to accuse him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct that occurred while he was getting massages.

Criminal charges were never brought up against Watson, but in the summer of 2022, he reached settlements in 23 of the 24 civil lawsuits that he was facing.

Watson, 28, was traded to the Browns in March 2022. He started under center in Cleveland's season-opening, 33-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, completing 24 of 45 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 2

Player Notes
Mike Boone Sep 10 1:30pm CT
Mike Boone

The Carolina Panthers are signing Mike Boone to the active 53-man roster, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. The 29-year-old was called up to the active roster in Week 1 and rushed four times for seven yards. He has totaled 546 rushing yards and four rushing scores since entering the league in 2018. Carolina is fresh off a disastrous 47-10 blowout at the hands of the New Orleans Saints and running backs Miles Sanders, Chubba Hubbard, and Boone combined for just 43 total rushing yards. There could be a three-man committee in Carolina until Jonathon Brooks (knee) comes off the PUP list, but with how bad the offense looked in Week 1, there's a good chance none of them have fantasy value in 12-team leagues.

From RotoBaller

Garrett Wilson Sep 10 1:20pm CT
Garrett Wilson

On Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers played in his first game since suffering a torn Achilles in Week 1 of last season. The 40-year-old completed 13 of his 21 passing attempts for 167 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. It wasn't a great showing and he looked hobbled at times, but it could take him a few weeks to get in rhythm. On an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers alluded to getting wide receiver Garrett Wilson involved more moving forward. "I don't know how many targets he finished with, but we gotta up that number," Rodgers said. Wilson caught six of his 11 targets for 60 yards after being heavily involved early in the loss. Rodgers should be expected to attempt more than 21 passes in the coming weeks, so Wilson is in play to lead the league in targets any given week.

From RotoBaller

Christian McCaffrey Sep 10 1:20pm CT
Christian McCaffrey

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) was somewhat of a surprising inactive during Monday's game against the New York Jets. The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year was labeled as questionable with a calf and Achilles injury on Saturday's final injury report, but fantasy managers did not know he wouldn't play until the inactives list came out 90 minutes before kickoff. While McCaffrey's Week 2 status is still up in the air, head coach Kyle Shanahan said he would have played if it was a playoff game, which means his aliment could be manageable. The team is likely to be careful with McCaffrey early in the 2024 campaign, so Jordan Mason could be on the fantasy radar even when CMC returns to action.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Sep 10 1:00pm CT
David Njoku

The Cleveland Browns are hosting free-agent tight ends Irv Smith Jr., Tommy Sweeney and Geoff Swaim for visits/workouts on Tuesday, according to a source. The Browns are suddenly in the market for a tight end after starter David Njoku (ankle) injured his ankle in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. It's unclear if the 28-year-old suffered a dreaded high-ankle sprain, but he's currently considered week-to-week, and there's a good chance he won't be cleared to play in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The fact that Cleveland is searching for more TE depth could mean that they expect Njoku to miss multiple games. Smith would be the most intriguing addition to the Browns' offense, but he'd still just be depth behind Jordan Akins, who is fully expected to be the team's primary pass-catching tight end for however long Njoku is out.

From RotoBaller

Austin Seibert Sep 10 12:50pm CT
Austin Seibert

The Washington Commanders officially signed free-agent kicker Austin Seibert to their active roster on Tuesday. The former fifth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2019 has played in 31 games over his five-year NFL career and was most recently with the New York Jets in 2023. The move to add Seibert comes after the Commanders released Cade York, who missed both of his field-goal tries in the Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 27-year-old Seibert has made 80.4% of his 56 field-goal attempts in his time in the NFL while also making 90.3% of his 62 extra points in 31 total games for the Browns, Bengals, Lions and Jets. Seibert will immediately take over the starting kicking duties in D.C., beginning with a Week 2 matchup against the division-rival New York Giants. Fantasy managers already streaming kickers should look elsewhere.

From RotoBaller

Ty Johnson Sep 10 12:40pm CT
Ty Johnson

Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (knee) will be a limited participant in the team's practice on Tuesday as they prepare for a short week in Week 2 with a Thursday night matchup against the division-rival Miami Dolphins. Johnson was injured in the season-opening win over the visiting Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and could be questionable to suit up against Miami on a short week. If the 26-year-old isn't cleared by Thursday night, rookie Ray Davis will have a bigger role as the change-of-pace back behind starter James Cook. In Week 1 against Arizona, Johnson was second in Buffalo's backfield while playing 23% of the offensive snaps compared to 61% for Cook and only 10% for Davis. Johnson saw just two carries for seven yards and missed his only target in the passing game. He's only stash-worthy as a handcuff in the deepest of fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Deshaun Watson Sep 10 12:40pm CT
Deshaun Watson

The NFL doesn't plan on placing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson on the commissioner's exempt list in light of a new civil lawsuit stemming from a 2020 allegation since there have been no criminal charges, and the league's review of the situation has just begun. "We are reviewing the complaint and we will look into the matter under the Personal Conduct Policy," an NFL public-relations person said. The 28-year-old served an 11-game suspension in 2022 after two dozen women accused him of sexual assault during massage sessions, but this new lawsuit accuses him of sexual assault and batter in 2020. Another suspension for the Browns QB could be coming, but it most likely will be delayed until the legal process plays out. In addition to new legal issues, Watson looked terrible in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and he'll be firmly on the QB2 radar for a Week 2 meeting with Jacksonville.

From RotoBaller

Kirk Cousins Sep 10 12:30pm CT
Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said there wasn't a correlation between quarterback Kirk Cousins' (Achilles) health and his play-calling decisions in the Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cousins tore his Achilles in Week 8 of last year with the Minnesota Vikings before joining Atlanta in free agency back in March. After Cousins signed, both he and Morris reiterated that he was fine physically. "I feel like Kirk is healthy," Morris said. "He's been healthy since he's been here, since he's been back." The veteran signal-caller went 16-for-26 for 155 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions for a QB rating of 59.0, the eight-lowest of his starting career. Questions about Cousins' health won't go away if he struggles again in a Week 2 Monday night showdown in Philadelphia against the Eagles, where Cousins will be on the QB2 radar for fantasy managers in his second start for Atlanta.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Warren Sep 10 12:20pm CT
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that running back Jaylen Warren (hamstring) is "healthy enough," but that it would be a "slippery slope" to say that Warren is fully healthy heading into a Week 2 road tilt against the Denver Broncos. In the Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons, Najee Harris handled 56% of the offensive snaps, while Warren was in on just 31% and finished with only two carries for seven yards while catching both of his targets for 13 yards in a game in which the Steelers offense didn't produce a single touchdown. The 25-year-old battled a hamstring injury throughout the preseason and doesn't appear to be fully healthy. He proved last year that he can be a productive weekly RB3/flex for fantasy managers, but in an offense now being led by quarterback Justin Fields with Russell Wilson (calf) hurt, Warren's fantasy stock is down, especially while trying to overcome a lower-body injury.

From RotoBaller

Jake Ferguson Sep 10 12:20pm CT
Jake Ferguson

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he's optimistic about tight end Jake Ferguson (knee) playing in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. Ferguson was injured in the Week 1 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday and was diagnosed with an MCL sprain and bone bruise. For now, the 25-year-old is being called week-to-week, but if he's able to practice later this week, he could have a shot to suit up this Sunday to face the Saints. Fantasy managers need to have a backup plan in place at the position in case Ferguson is out, which is probably more likely. If Ferguson misses Week 2, Luke Schoonmaker and fullback Hunter Luepke should be more involved in Dallas' offense, although it's tough to recommend them as starting fantasy options, even in the deepest of leagues. After a Pro Bowl season in 2023 in which he had 761 receiving yards and five touchdowns, Ferguson needs to be stashed in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Justin Fields Sep 10 12:10pm CT
Justin Fields

According to Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers are "preparing as Justin Fields is our QB" ahead of their Week 2 road matchup in Denver against the Broncos this coming Sunday. All offseason, Pittsburgh's coaching staff reiterated that veteran quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) was their starter, but a calf injury suffered in training camp has resurfaced, causing him to miss the season-opening win against the Atlanta Falcons, and it's looking like he'll start the year with two straight games on the sidelines. He's not on track to start practicing again until Thursday, so Pittsburgh may play it safe and sit him out again against his former team, the Broncos. Fields, 25, didn't lead the offense to a single touchdown in the win over Atlanta, but he also didn't turn the ball over. If he makes a second straight start against Denver, he'll be in play as a QB2 in superflex leagues, but the ceiling is low in this offense.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Mason Sep 10 11:13am CT
Jordan Mason

Dynasty | 49ers running back Jordan Mason had 147 rushing yards, one catch, five receiving yards and a touchdown in San Francisco's blowout win over the Jets. Dynasty Analysis: With Christian McCaffrey out for the game (and maybe longer), Mason dominated the Jets defense, averaging over five yards per carry and controlling the game. While he's not going to make anyone forget about McCaffrey, Mason proved he can (and will) carry the load when CMC can't play. Even more promising is the fact Mason had every single running back touch in the game for the 49ers. He's a must-start RB1 next week should McCaffrey miss another week, as expected. In fact, this performance does nothing but buy CMC time to get healthy. Plan accordingly.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Breece Hall Sep 10 11:13am CT
Breece Hall

Dynasty | Jets running back Breece Hall had 54 rushing yards, five catches, 39 receiving yards and a touchdown in New York's loss to the 49ers. Dynasty Analysis: Hall had little chance against a stout 49ers defense that dominated the line of scrimmage. The fact he was able to post a decent line in this one was borderline amazing. Hall will certainly be better as the season goes on and remains an elite-level RB1 despite what looks like a bit of a slow start.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Aaron Rodgers Sep 10 11:13am CT
Aaron Rodgers

Dynasty | Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 13-of-21 passes for 161 yards with one touchdown and one interception in New York's MNF loss to the 49ers. Dynasty Analysis: Rodgers and the offense had little chance to be successful as San Francisco carved up the Jets defense en route to a 39:21 advantage in time of possession. When the Jets did have the ball, Rodgers looked like his old self in terms of arm strength and accuracy, though he did look a little out of sorts at time. There's no need to panic as better days are surely ahead for this group. Rodgers himself is a habitual slow starter, so the story here is him simply making it through the game healthy. He remains a low-end QB1 at the moment.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Braelon Allen Sep 10 11:13am CT
Braelon Allen

Dynasty | Jets running back Braelon Allen had eight rushing yards, one catch, and nine receiving yards in his NFL debut. Dynasty Analysis: Allen was the talk of the dynasty rookie sleeper town for the past couple of months but it's clear the Jets are going to make Breece Hall a true workhorse. Allen has immense dynasty upside and is a great rookie stash on a roster. However, early returns from him are not going to be good and dynasty managers will need to be very patient. He'd be a borderline RB1 should Hall miss time, however.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Kirk Cousins Sep 10 11:13am CT
Kirk Cousins

Dynasty | Kirk Cousins is already under the microscope after a rough week one performance in his Atlanta debut. Dynasty Analysis: There's no need to panic here, but this is life in the NFL when a team drafts your eventual replacement. Cousins completed just 16-of-26 passes for 155 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in his Falcons debut - an ugly loss to the Steelers. This is likely due to him sitting out the entire preseason and missing most of last year after being injured, so there's no real legitimate concern. However, a few more clunker games like this and Cousins may start to be evaluated. This is simply something to keep in the back of the minds of dynasty managers as the season moves forward and Michael Penix continues to progress.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Puka Nacua Sep 10 10:29am CT
Puka Nacua

Dynasty | The Rams have placed wide receiver Puka Nacua on injured reserve. Dynasty Analysis: Uh oh. Nacua will now miss at least the next four weeks and we won't see him until week seven at the earliest after the Rams have their bye week - this means dynasty managers will be without him until at least October 20th, a brutal blow to just about any dynasty franchise this year. Cooper Kupp will soak up a massive amount of targets and dynasty managers need to plan accordingly. As for Nacua, this is a short-term issue and won't affect anything other than his short-term outlook.

Amon-Ra St. Brown Sep 10 10:28am CT
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Dynasty | Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had three catches for 13 yards in the Lions win against the Rams. Dynasty Analysis: It's just one week but it's also clear Jameson Williams is going to get more targets than last season. Still, this is likely going to be St. Brown's worst game and anyone who is getting anxious probably doesn't have the stomach for fantasy football. Stay the course. Things will get better. St. Brown is still a top-five option each week.

Chigoziem Okonkwo Sep 10 10:28am CT
Chigoziem Okonkwo

Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo caught both his targets for 15 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Chicago. Quarterback Will Levis could not get the passing game going most of the game, which led to down weeks for all Titans' pass catchers. Okonkwo was able to bail out fantasy managers with his touchdown grab, an incredibly impressive catch in the back right corner of the end zone over a defender. It was a tough day for the position overall, as Oknkwo finished as TE6 on the week heading into the Monday night game with only 9.5 PPR points. While he had a fine fantasy day because of the score, playing Okonkwo on a weekly basis is still not recommended if this passing attack can't improve considerably from Week 1. Okonkwo and the Titans offense will have their work cut out for them when the Jets travel to Nashville next week.

D.J. Reader Sep 10 9:10am CT
D.J. Reader

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is confident that defensive lineman D.J. Reader (quad) will play in Week 2. Reader has been out with a quad injury he suffered in Week 15 with the Cincinnati Bengals last season. He signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Lions in the offseason. Reader is a game-wrecker at times at defensive tackle and should only boost the Lions' excellent defense upon his return. After a solid performance against the Rams in Week 1, the Lions' D/ST could be on the rise with Reader approaching a return.

From RotoBaller