NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson accused of deleting Instagram messages as more women file lawsuits

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is facing allegations of civil or sexual assault from 19 women, was accused this week of deleting Instagram messages that could be used as evidence, and contacting his alleged victims in an attempt to settle.

In recent weeks, 19 women — all service workers in the health and wellness industry — have said they were assaulted by Watson, 25, after he hired them for massages during separate incidents in 2020 and 2021, according to lawsuits filed in Harris County, Texas. Many of the women claimed Watson originally contacted them on Instagram to schedule his massage. One of the three lawsuits filed earlier this week alleges that Watson "is deleting Instagram messages, and contacting those who formally provided him massages, in an attempt to settle." The lawsuit did not provide any additional information about that claim.