Tampa Bay Buccaneers Re-sign Desmond Watson

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have re-signed defensive tackle Desmond Watson, adding him to their practice squad as they gear up to face the Philadelphia Eagles in week four.

Watson, a rookie lineman weighing in at 464 pounds, didn’t make the 53-man roster during the preseason. Unfortunately, he couldn’t meet the required conditioning standards to get onto the field. It’s worth noting that he holds the title for being the heaviest player in NFL history.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles mentioned earlier this week that Watson’s training last week was promising. The team is looking for ways to handle the Eagles’ “Tush Push” play, which has drawn attention recently due to apparent player movements before the ball is snapped by quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Bowles clarified that adding Watson is not solely focused on countering this particular play. “We won’t be bringing him in just for Tush Push. If that play doesn’t show up, then bringing someone in just for that is a waste of time,” Bowles stated. “We’re confident he can contribute on a broader spectrum, not just against Philadelphia.”

There’s some skepticism regarding whether Watson will be ready to play, particularly if he’s included in the roster for the Eagles game. Standing at 6-foot-6, Watson has been working with a nutritionist during the summer; however, the team hasn’t shared what his target weight should be.

Watson has previously spoken about managing his weight, sharing that he often found himself stopping for food while in Florida. “As I’m driving, it’s really hard to resist the snacks,” he commented, admitting that driving by a shop was a source of temptation. “I’ve had to learn to manage that, sticking to what I need to do.”