NFL won't discipline Deshaun Watson for making contact with referee during Browns vs. Steelers

The NFL has released a statement in regards to Deshaun Watson’s actions against an official during the Browns-Steelers game on Monday Night Football. The quarterback made contact with a referee during an on-field scuffle, which usually results in a penalty. Watson was not flagged for the act.

“Officials are called upon to maintain order on the field, and sometimes while performing those duties, there is inadvertent contact between players and officials,” the NFL said, per Tom Pelissero. “In this instance, in their judgment, the contact did not rise to the level of a foul.”

From NFL on Deshaun Watson:

Officials are called upon to maintain order on the field, and sometimes while performing those duties, there is inadvertent contact between players and officials. In this instance, in their judgment, the contact did not rise to the level of a foul. pic.twitter.com/g71i07cfUH

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 19, 2023

During an on-field skirmish between Browns and Steelers players, officials attempted to get between the two sides. When one referee got in front of Watson, he attempted to move the official out of the way.

No penalty was issued as a result of the play, leaving many curious about the decision. But the NFL cleared up the rule on Tuesday.

𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗘 𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗟𝗦𝗘: #Browns QB Deshaun Watson should have been ejected from the game last night for this contact with an official.

The NFL just gave their opinion on this:

“Officials are called upon to maintain order on the field, and sometimes while performing those… pic.twitter.com/VBrMY1WUti

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 19, 2023

According to league rules, making physical contact with an official can result in a fine of $38,349 on the first offense. So, even though Watson has a pretty lucrative contract, it appears he’ll avoid the hefty fine.

Pittsburgh defeated Cleveland 26-22. Both teams are now 1-1 on the season.

Watson struggled throughout the course of Monday’s divisional contest. He completed 22-of-40 passes for 235 yards with one touchdown and an interception.

Browns running back Nick Chubb suffers injury, expected to miss rest of the season

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb was carted to the locker room after suffering a knee injury in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday.

The injury occurred in the second quarter after Chubb took a handoff up the middle and was hit directly on his knee by Steelers defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick. The injury was so gruesome, that ABC made the decision not to show the replay. Fans at Acrisure Stadium let out a collective gasp after the replay was shown once on the video screen.

Steelers fans in attendance chanted Chubb’s name and gave him a standing ovation as he was carted off the field.

“One of the best players in the game is being carted off, and these fans in Pittsburgh — I mean, so classy,” play-by-play man Joe Buck said on the broadcast.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Browns have serious concern that Chubb’s season is over from a possible knee dislocation, potentially with multiple ligament damage. Chubb is currently undergoing testing to determine the severity of the injury.

Chandler Vessels contributed to this story.