Texans general manager Nick Caserio made his first comments on the lawsuits against franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson, alleging sexual assault and harassment of at least 19 women.
Until about two weeks ago, when the first of 19 lawsuits were filed against Watson, the quarterback and franchise had been at a standoff on his trade request.
Since then, women have accused Watson of behaving inappropriately during massage therapy sessions. They allege he's used these sessions as a means for sex, and say they were violated.
Watson has denied the allegations. His business manager also produced an affidavit swearing one of Watson's accusers tried to blackmail him for $30,000.
Meanwhile, more lawsuits and accusations pile on. Sports Illustrated published a piece Monday with an account of a woman separate from the 19 plaintiffs, who all share one lawyer in high-profile attorney Tony Buzbee.
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The Texans have only said they are cooperating with the NFL investigation and any legal process. Caserio, speaking with Marc Vandermeer and John Harris on Texans All Access, took an even stronger stance on the allegations against Watson.
"It's a legal process, so we're certainly respectful of that. We certainly take them very seriously, the allegations, what's been discussed are certainly troubling," Caserio said. "Organizationally, that's not something we can condone, those types of actions. We'll let the legal process take care of itself and however it's going to unfold, we'll certainly comply and do what we can to help and facilitate a resolution for everybody."
The Texans still have a decision to make on whether to trade Watson; where and for how much. Certainly, circumstances have changed from when the Texans were categorically opposed to trading Watson, to now with the new team builder distancing himself from the quarterback in light of these allegations.