Deshaun Watson is being sued by a 24th massage therapist accusing him of sexual misconduct.
The development was first reported by Cleveland.com, citing Houston-based attorney Tony Buzbee, the lawyer for the 23 women who have previously filed civil lawsuits against Watson.
ESPN's Sarah Barshop reported Monday morning the lawsuit had been filed, and that it mentioned an interview by Watson's attorney Rusty Hardin with Payne & Pendergast last Friday on SportsRadio 610.
The revelation of a 24th accuser comes just days after Nia Smith, the 23rd accuser, came forth last week.
The two new suits are the first since the initial 20-plus accusers brought their cases in March and April of 2021.
The 24th suit was reported on the same day that Watson's attorney, Rusty Hardin, made headlines after offering up a strange defense, and later a clarification, of "happy endings."
Buzbee later said Hardin's remarks would be addressed in court, per Cleveland.com:
In response to Hardin’s radio interview, Buzbee told ESPN’s John Barr that Hardin “may have single-handedly lost his client’s case because I’m absolutely going to use that comment because I think it speaks volumes to how he, his team and his client think about the massage industry.”
Watson, 26, was previously cleared of criminal charges after grand juries in Harris and Brazoria counties in Houston declined to indict him. He has denied some of the alleged encounters ever happened and said others were consensual.
The three-time Pro Bowler has been working out in recent days with his new team, the Browns, at offseason OTAs.
Against the backdrop of the unfolding legal situation, the Browns have maintained they're comfortable with their own background check on Watson. He was awarded a record contract extension after being acquired him from the Houston Texans in exchange for a package of future draft picks.
The extension recently came under criticism from two accusers during their appearance on HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumble."
One of them, Kyla Hayes, told correspondent Soledad O'Brien that the extension was "sick."
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