NFL authorities issue statement following settlement of 20 lawsuits against Deshaun Watson

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has settled 20 of the 24 lawsuits filed against him, according to attorney Tony Buzbee.

While the exact terms of the settlement for the 20 women are unknown, there are still four cases open against the quarterback.

"We are working through the paperwork related to those settlements," Buzbee said. "Once we have done so, those particular cases will be dismissed. The terms and amounts of the settlements are confidential. We won't comment further on the settlements or those cases."

Despite settling a majority of the cases, Deshaun Watson could still be punished by the NFL. The league takes a rather grim view of players who violate its personal conduct policy.

The NFL is conducting its own investigation into all of the incidents involving Watson, with a decision expected to be made on his punishment sooner rather than later.

Brian McCarthy, a spokesperson for the NFL, spoke to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com regarding what transpired with the Browns QB's case.

McCarthy said:

"Today's development has no impact on the collectively bargained disciplinary process."

Will Deshaun Watson get suspended by the NFL?

Cleveland Browns Mandatory Minicamp

The 26-year-old is widely expected to be hit with a suspension by the NFL. Training camp begins on July 27 and it is thought that the league would ideally like to have a decision made by then, as per apnews.com.

It is unclear exactly how long the potential suspension will be. Some have said four to six games, while a significant number of people don't want the 26-year-old to see the field at all.

In a nutshell, Watson's situation severely dents Cleveland's Super Bowl aspirations. With Joshua Dobbs and Jacoby Brissett the only quarterbacks available, it would take a serious effort to catapult the Browns into the playoffs.