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Journeyman quarterback Jacoby Brissett signed with the Cleveland Browns in March knowing he could be atop the club’s depth chart by Week 1 in September. It now appears that will indeed be the case after NFL disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson ruled on Monday that Cleveland starting signal-caller Deshaun Watson should be suspended for six games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy regarding allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions.
As Jake Trotter noted for ESPN, Brissett previously served as a fill-in starter during stints with the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and, most recently, the Miami Dolphins last fall. The 29-year-old spoke with reporters on Tuesday and made it clear he’ll be prepared to take the field when the Browns open the regular season at the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 11.
“It’s been my situation throughout my career,” Brissett explained. “Nothing that I’m unfamiliar with. Always been ready to go, whenever my number’s called and that’s the case at this point now.”
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has repeatedly insisted that Brissett will start any games Watson misses because of a suspension, and there’s currently no indication Cleveland will make a move for a proven commodity such as San Francisco 49ers veteran Jimmy Garoppolo. That leaves Brissett, with his career record of 14-23 across 37 regular-season starts, as his employer’s temporary QB1.
“Since I’ve been in this league, it’s been the next man up,” Brissett added. “So that experience obviously helps with not only the playing, but also like the mindset of understanding — you gotta be ready whenever your number is called.”
The NFL and NFL Players Association have until 9 a.m. ET Thursday to file a written appeal of Robinson’s ruling. The NFLPA announced on Sunday evening it “will stand by” her decision, but the league said Monday it “is reviewing Judge Robinson’s imposition of a six-game suspension and will make a determination on next steps.”
Assuming the six-game ban sticks, Watson would be on track to make his official Browns debut at the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7 on Oct. 23.
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