After a judge’s ruling, Deshaun Watson must testify in court in the wake of harassment allegations. The other side is now reformulating the lawsuits to put even more pressure on the quarterback.

Munich – Things are getting tight for Deshaun Watson.

The Cleveland Browns quarterback may have been criminally acquitted in the wake of sexual harassment claims, but the civil cases are in full swing. And soon the playmaker will also have to answer to the allegations.

Until now, Watson and his lawyers had always invoked the right to refuse to testify, but a judge has now ruled that the 26-year-old must face the questions in court.

Cases against Watson are being rewritten

And that’s not all. According to USA Today, two of the 22 plaintiffs have amended their lawsuits to also sue the athlete for negligence and gross negligence. Their argument: Watson should have been aware of his sexual proclivities during massage sessions, but failed to take precautions to prevent them from occurring again.

Lawyer Tony Buzbee, who is representing the women, also commented on the matter, stating that more complaints will be reviewed.

“Deshaun Watson has denied that he acted intentionally. We strongly believe that he did. We have added a passage on the issue of negligence which will enable the jury to assess whether he acted unreasonably and carelessly,” the lawyer said.

Background: Watson and his lawyers have brought in 18 other therapists in his defence, whose services he had also used. Watson has so far not wanted to explain whether sexual acts took place with the ladies in question.

Watson must testify in court

Now he has to make a statement on the basis of the court order. If it turns out that there was consensual sex, this would play into the cards of the other side around lawyer Buzbee.

So if it were the athlete’s habit to get a massage and hope that this would result in sexual acts, this could give rise to claims for damages.

First, from alleged intentional conduct during the massages, and second, from the failure to take steps to warn or protect the therapists that Watson might try to get more than just a massage.