Attorney for Deshaun Watson gets emergency hearings Friday over women's IDs

Earlier on Thursday, Rusty Hardin, the attorney representing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson in at least 22 civil lawsuits alleging the star signal-caller committed numerous acts of sexual assault and misconduct, confirmed that he filed a motion asking a judge to rule that lawyer Tony Buzbee must reveal the names of the plaintiffs who filed. 

According to an update offered by Sarah Barshop of ESPN, emergency hearings will occur on Friday at 8:45 a.m. ET and 12 p.m. ET regarding Hardin's request. 

Watson has thus far denied all the allegations. Houston massage therapist Ashley Solis and Lauren Baxley revealed their identities during a press conference hosted by Buzbee on Tuesday. 

"Attorney Rusty Hardin ostensibly requested the emergency hearings because Watson’s deadline for responding to the civil complaints is approaching," Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk explained. "It’s more likely, however, that Hardin used this tactic as a way to bring the matter to a head more quickly, in order to force attorney Tony Buzbee to the table for settlement talks." 

Florio added that settlement talks could potentially allow the 20 thus-far unnamed women to remain anonymous. 

Watson requested a trade from the Texans before the first lawsuit was filed but could ultimately be ruled ineligible to play for at least a portion of the 2021 season via either the commissioner's exempt list or the NFL's personal conduct policy. Both the Houston Police Department and NFL previously confirmed they're investigating the allegations that have made Watson untouchable for any would-be trade partners.