Browns' Deshaun Watson running scout team until suspension starts Aug. 30

Per the terms of the settlement agreed upon by the NFL and NFL Players Association, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will officially begin serving his 11-game suspension related to allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions on Aug. 30. While Watson is not expected to play in this coming Saturday's preseason finale versus the Chicago Bears held in downtown Cleveland, he is still available to participate in practices until his ban starts. 

According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Tuesday that Watson is still practicing but running the scout team this week. 

"He will still take reps," Stefanski said of Watson. "It may be more in show-team type looks, going against our defense in carded-type periods. Everything that Deshaun does out here on the practice field when it comes to individual, show-team reps, post-practice work and off to the side work, I think it all adds up." 

Watson could spend some time mimicking former Cleveland QB1 Baker Mayfield, who will get the start for the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 against the Browns on Sept. 11. 

It was learned on Monday that Watson has begun counseling mandated by the league via the previously mentioned settlement. As things stand today, backup Jacoby Brissett will start for the Browns until Watson is eligible to return to action to face the Houston Texans, his former employer, in Week 13 on Dec. 4.