The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have once again swiped left on Defensive Tackle Desmond Watson, releasing the 400-pound lineman from their practice squad. It’s the latest turn in a saga that’s been more about the weigh-ins than the workouts.
Watson’s time in Tampa has been a rollercoaster. One minute he’s in, the next he’s out, making his relationship with the Bucs’ roster more unstable than a Jenga tower in an earthquake.
Signed as an undrafted free agent from the Florida Gators, Watson made headlines not for his on-field stats, but for tipping the scales at a jaw-dropping 449 pounds at one point, briefly holding the title of the NFL’s heaviest player.
The Weighty Challenge For Watson
The Buccaneers front office, led by GM Jason Licht, tried to play the long game. They set weight “milestones” for Watson. He was placed on the Non-Football Injury list to focus on slimming down, but when he couldn’t hit his target numbers, the team showed him the door before he even got to break a sweat in the preseason. It was a tough break for a guy whose sheer size could theoretically block out the sun, let alone an offensive lineman.
But then, an olive branch appeared. After star Defensive Tackle Calijah Kancey went down with a season-ending injury, the Bucs speed-dialed Watson and brought him back to the practice squad on September 23. It was a second chance, a redemption arc in the making. Watson even told reporters he had lost weight, though he kept the exact number a closely guarded secret.
The End Of the Road (For Now)
Despite the comeback story, Watson remained a spectator. He never saw a single snap on the field, with the team opting to elevate fellow practice squad member Elijah Simmons instead. Now, with his second release, the dream is on hold again. The move, reported by FOX Sports’ Greg Auman, likely signals that the Bucs need to shore up another position, possibly adding depth at outside linebacker or on special teams.
So, what’s next for Watson? He’s back on the free-agent market, a massive talent looking for a team willing to take a chance on him. While this chapter in Tampa seems to be closed, the NFL is a strange league. If a spot opens up, a third reunion isn’t entirely out of the question. For now, the big man’s big league dreams are, once again, on pause.
