In May, Desmond Watson made history as one of the heaviest players ever to enter the NFL. But just three months later, on August 25, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers waived the 460-pound defensive tackle-casting serious doubt on the rookie’s future in professional football.
The former Florida Gators standout drew headlines when the Buccaneers signed him as an undrafted free agent, with the clear expectation that he would need to shed weight to reach a safe and sustainable playing level.
Watson participated in OTAs and the team’s mandatory minicamp in June. Coaches and staff worked closely with him on weight management, knowing that if he suited up for preseason action, he would have been the heaviest player ever to take an NFL field.
The end of Watson’s first shot
Despite some progress, Watson ultimately fell short of the benchmarks the Buccaneers had set. As reported by ESPN’s Jenna Laine and Fox Sports’ Greg Auman, the rookie was waived while on the active/non-football injury list.
Head coach Todd Bowles explained the team’s stance earlier this summer:
“We kept him on the team to get him better, to be a healthier player and get him on the field a little more.”
General manager Jason Licht echoed the sentiment, noting there were specific “milestones” Watson needed to reach. All indications suggest those goals weren’t met.
What’s next for Watson
Watson’s NFL journey may not be over. Another team could claim him off waivers and give him a second chance, or the Buccaneers could bring him back on their 16-man practice squad.
Bowles himself left the door open last week, saying:
“I’d like to have some long-term plans for him going forward because he’s making some progress, and I feel like down the line he can help us.”
If that mindset hasn’t changed, Watson still has a flicker of hope that his NFL dream isn’t finished just yet.
Read the full article here
