Final Sexual Assault Lawsuits Against Deshaun Watson Dismissed

Remaining claims against former Texans QB end after years of legal battles

Feb. 6, 2026 at 3:39pm

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Two remaining sexual assault lawsuits against former NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson were dismissed on Friday in a Harris County, Texas court. The dismissals appear to conclude years of legal claims against Watson over accusations that he sexually assaulted women while he was the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans.

Why it matters

The dismissal of the final lawsuits marks the end of a high-profile legal saga that has followed Watson since 2021, when 27 women first sued him over allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions. The case has had major implications for Watson's NFL career, leading to an 11-game suspension and $5 million fine from the league.

The details

The two lawsuits that were dismissed on Friday were the last remaining cases against Watson. His lawyers were scheduled to argue for a dismissal on Thursday, but the hearing was canceled after the women's attorneys filed notices of nonsuit, ending the cases. The lawsuits were dismissed with prejudice, meaning they cannot be refiled. Most of the original 27 lawsuits were settled in 2022, but these final two lingered and were set to go to trial in February and March 2026.

  • The lawsuits were dismissed on Friday, February 6, 2026.
  • Watson was originally accused of sexual misconduct by 27 women between 2021 and 2024.

The players

Deshaun Watson

Former starting quarterback for the Houston Texans who was accused of sexually assaulting women during massage sessions. The lawsuits against him have now been dismissed.

Rusty Hardin

Watson's lawyer, who once referred to the most recent lawsuit as a "sham".

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

The dismissal of the final lawsuits against Deshaun Watson brings an end to a years-long legal saga that has had major implications for the former NFL star's career. While the details of any potential settlements were not disclosed, the conclusion of the cases allows Watson to move forward as he continues his professional football career.