A judge in Houston has ruled that Deshaun Watson can face questions under oath in at least some of the 22 civil cases filed against him by women who have accused him of actions ranging from harassment to sexual assault during massage sessions.

Rusty Hardin, Watson's attorney, filed a motion last week to delay Watson's deposition until after April 1 and argued Monday that such a delay would enable Watson's legal team to secure depositions with all 22 of the women who are suing Watson and also allow Watson the protection of knowing whether he will also face criminal charges.

Watson's deposition was originally scheduled to begin as early as this week.

The court ruled Monday that Watson can be questioned under oath on allegations relating to nine of the pending civil cases. None of the women involved in those nine cases has filed a criminal complaint against Watson, and all of them have already provided depositions of their own in their ongoing civil cases.