Final Civil Lawsuits Against Deshaun Watson Dismissed

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is now free of all civil lawsuits stemming from allegations of sexual misconduct, following the dismissal of the final two cases on January 6, 2026, in Houston courts. The dismissals, which came weeks before scheduled trials in February and March, mark the end of legal proceedings that began in 2021 and involved 27 women accusing Watson of inappropriate behavior during massage therapy sessions.

The lawsuits, filed in Texas, centered on incidents from 2017 to early 2021, when Watson played for the Houston Texans. Plaintiffs alleged acts including exposing himself, unwanted touching with his genitals, kissing without consent, pressuring for oral sex, and, in one case, sexual assault. Of the 27 cases, 24 were resolved through confidential settlements in 2022, one was withdrawn shortly after filing, and the remaining two were dismissed with prejudice, a legal term indicating they cannot be refiled and suggesting settlements were reached. Tony Buzbee, attorney for 26 of the plaintiffs, including one in the final cases, confirmed the resolution of his client's suit. "Case is settled," Buzbee said. "That's all I can say about it. That's the...