New sexual assault lawsuit filed against ex-Texans QB Watson

A new sexual assault lawsuit has been filed against former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, accusing him of pressuring a Houston massage therapist into giving him oral sex. The lawsuit was filed in Harris County on Thursday afternoon by a woman identified only as Jane Doe. She is represented by Houston attorney Anissah Nguyen. The lawsuit accuses Watson, who is now the quarterback of the Cleveland Browns, of reaching out to the woman through Instagram in December 2020, arranging a meeting in a hotel room and then her pressuring into the sex act. The woman is seeking damage for physical and mental pain and suffering and loss of earnings, among other things, according to the lawsuit.

"Watson used his celebrity to take advantage of a young woman working hard for her success," the lawsuit said. "Due to his behavior, she has suffered from severe depression and anxiety. Plaintiff is currently seeking counseling." Neither Nguyen nor Rusty Hardin, Watson's defense attorney, returned phone messages left for them on Thursday night. Watson was previously sued by two dozen women, who made similar allegation he assaulted and harassed them. He has denied the allegations and has not been charged with any crimes. Since June, Watson has reached settlements with 23 of 24 the women who accused him of assault. In July, the Houston Texas reached settlements with 30 women preparing to sue the team over their role in the allegations against Watson. Watson was traded to the Browns by the Texans earlier this year. He signed a $230 million contract with Cleveland and then was suspended 11 games by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Watson isn't eligible to play in an NFL game until Nov. 28, but this week was allowed to return to Browns facilities and begin participating in limited activities with the team.