Commanders cut K Brandon McManus in wake of lawsuit

The Washington Commanders released kicker Brandon McManus on Sunday night, several days after the veteran player was accused of sexual assault in a lawsuit.

McManus and his former team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, are being sued by two women identified as Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II. The lawsuit was filed May 24 in Duval County, where Jacksonville is located, and it was made public on Monday.

They allege McManus of rubbing and grinding against them during a team flight to London last fall. Jane Doe I said McManus tried to kiss her and Jane Doe II said McManus "smirked and walked away" after she confronted him about grinding against her.

The women said the Jaguars did not provide a safe environment for staff on the flight.

The Commanders, who signed McManus to a one-year, $3.6 million deal in March, said in a statement Monday that they "take allegations of this nature very seriously and are looking into the matter."

McManus' attorney, Brett R. Gallaway, released a statement to news outlets Sunday night that thanked Washington for giving McManus an opportunity with the team.

"However, we reiterate that the allegations against Brandon are and remain absolutely false and importantly, are contradicted by indisputable evidence and the accusers' own prior inconsistent statements and omissions," the statement continued. "While we are disappointed with the team's decision to release Brandon before he had the opportunity to defend against these fabricated claims, we will aggressively defend and clear Brandon's name and reputation through the legal process. We intend to defeat these claims, fully exonerate him and look forward to seeing him back on the field where he belongs."

The women are being represented by attorney Tony Buzbee, who also worked for many of Deshaun Watson's sexual misconduct accusers. Buzbee said on Instagram that his team attempted, "without success," to settle the matter with McManus out of court before resorting to the lawsuit.

McManus, 32, spent the first nine years of his 10-year NFL career with the Denver Broncos and signed with the Jaguars in May 2023.