The Houston Texans soon will be added as defendants to many of the lawsuits filed by women against Deshaun Watson, according to the women’s attorney, Tony Buzbee.
The amended lawsuits will make the argument that the Texans, Watson’s former team, knew or should have known about his sexual misconduct during massages sessions and are therefore liable for what happened to these women.
Watson has denied wrongdoing. But he is now facing 24 lawsuits by women who generally have accused him of exposing himself and causing unwanted touching or in some cases coercing them or ejaculating on them during massages in 2020 and early 2021, when Watson played for that team.
Buzbee said the Texans provided the opportunity for his conduct to occur.
Watson has not been arrested or charged. The NFL has been investigating the allegations and could suspend Watson if he is found to have violated the league’s personal conduct policy. Earlier this year, the Texans traded Watson to the Cleveland Browns, who gave him a record guaranteed contract of $230 million over five years.
