BroBible
Desmond Watson did not make his NFL debut for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans. He is not allowed to play until he loses more weight.
However, the early numbers being reported do not bode well for him in the near future.
Watson needs to kick things into high gear if he is going to play in the National Football League. It does not make sense to put him on the field until he can play a legitimate role on the defense.
The University of Florida listed Desmond Watson on the roster at 6-foot-5, 449 pounds in 2024. He never missed a game during his four-year career and finished with 20 total tackles as a senior.
The Gators also gave him the ball at running back in their bowl game, which was awesome.
Watson did not get an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine but he defied gravity with a mind-boggling vertical leap at his Pro Day, at which he weighed-in at 464 pounds.
The massive defensive tackle ultimately went undrafted. The Buccaneers signed him as an undrafted free agent shortly after the seventh round came to a conclusion.
However, Tampa Bay placed him on the non-football injury list because head coach Todd Bowles wants him to be a “healthier player on the field.” He is forced to run laps in the hot Florida heat during training camp while his teammates practice with pads.
As of April 26, Watson was down from 464 to 437. That was a 27-pound difference in a little over four weeks, which was still not enough. Unfortunately, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, he arrived to training camp at a number closer to 450.
A specific weight goal has not been announced to the public at this point. The Buccaneers are not going to reveal their plan for Desmond Watson until he is suddenly back on the field.
Perhaps they are trying to get him to 400. Maybe they are trying to get him under 425. We don’t know.
Either way, Watson was not allowed to make his debut during the first week of the preseason and spent the game on the sideline.
If he is not able to practice, he is not able to play. Obviously.
So when will he be able to play? That is the great mystery.
If we are to do some simple math, Watson lost approximately one pound per day between his pro day and the end of April. And then he got stuck.
If the rookie defensive lineman can keep that same pace, dropping seven pounds per week, from the start of training camp on July 23 — he will be down to 400 from 437 on August 29. That would put him on pace to practice in Week 1 of the regular season.
I do not expect Desmond Watson to...
