The Cleveland Browns know that they will not have their intended starting quarterback, Deshaun Watson, on the field for at least the first six games of the season. Joint disciplinary officer Sue Robinson handed down a six-game suspension for him, and his party and the players union did not appeal.
The NFL did, however, and now it’s up to their side to determine how long his suspension will actually be. The league originally petitioned for an indefinite suspension of at least a year. Any ruling, however, could be legally challenged, in theory, yet even so, there is no meaningful chance that he is on the field before week seven.