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The Associated Press
HOUSTON -- A 14th woman has filed a lawsuit accusing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and harassment.
The claims in the latest suit, which was filed late Monday night in a Harris County state district court, are similar to those in the earlier cases in which the women accuse Watson of exposing himself, touching them with his penis or kissing them against their will while he got a massage. The most recent lawsuit was filed by a woman who alleges Watson assaulted her in July 2020 in Beverly Hills, California. Six others lawsuits were filed earlier Monday while the others were filed last week.
Watson's attorney, Rusty Hardin, has called the allegations "meritless," while the NFL player has broadly denied he acted inappropriately.
The 14 women, who have sued separately, have not been identified in the lawsuits. They are represented by Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee, who's said he planned to submit evidence from several of the women to investigators.
Authorities have declined to comment on the allegations. The NFL has said it's investigating the allegations.
Watson is one of the league's top quarterbacks but has asked to be traded from the Texans, who had a 4-12 record last season.
Cook going out west
COSTA MESA, Calif. -- Jared Cook has signed with a new team, and he will have two coaches who are very familiar with him.
Cook said Monday that offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and offensive line coach Frank Smith influenced the veteran tight end to sign a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Lombardi and Smith were hired by new head coach Brandon Staley. Cook said he was in contact with Smith and Lombardi throughout the free agency process.
Smith was the Raiders' tight end coach the past three seasons, including in 2018 when Cook made the Pro Bowl for the first time and set career highs for catches (68) and yards (896) along with six touchdowns.
Cook's previous two seasons were in New Orleans, where Lombardi was the quarterbacks coach. Cook had a career-high nine TDs in 2019 and then had 37 receptions for 504 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Jackson heads for Big Apple
The New York Giants gave it the old college try in signing cornerback Adoree Jackson and using free agency to fill another glaring need.
Hours after signing a three-year, $39 million contract, Jackson said he felt like a college recruit the way players and coaches pumped up the team in trying to get him to join the Giants.
Second-year cornerback Darnay Holmes, a buddy from Los Angeles, sent him texts. Former Tennessee Titans teammate and fellow defensive back Logan Ryan had dinner with the 25-year-old Jackson. Safety Jabrill Peppers was in his ear telling him about the improving Giants, who went 6-10 in Joe Judge's first season as coach and just missed the playoffs.
Jackson gives the Giants an experienced starting cornerback opposite James Bradberry, who shut down opposing receivers last season.
Buckeye returns to Ohio
CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday signed free agent cornerback Eli Apple to a one-year contract.
Apple, a former Ohio State star, was a first-round pick by the New York Giants in 2016 and went to the New Orleans Saints via trade in 2018. He played for Carolina on a one-year contract last season but injuries limited him to two games. He has played in 57 career NFL games, with 219 tackles and three interceptions.