Buccaneers withhold rookie Desmond Watson pending weight loss target | NFL News Times of India.

Desmond Watson, the rookie player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who stands 6-foot-6 and weighs about 449 to 450 pounds, was made to observe training from the sidelines in August 2025. The team is not allowing Watson to participate in drills until he sheds weight and gets healthier. Despite working with a nutritionist and conditioning in the hot Florida sun, Watson must wait until he is lighter before joining his teammates on the field.

Watson, who went undrafted after his time at the University of Florida, joined the Buccaneers in April 2025. He weighed 464 pounds at his pro day, making him the heaviest player in NFL history. However, by July, he had dropped to about 449 to 450 pounds. Despite this, the team put him on the non-football injury list and told him to get healthier before practicing.

Coach Todd Bowles said the aim is to be for Watson to become a healthier player and gradually get him on the field. However, there’s no clear timeline yet on when Watson will be allowed to practice.

Watson had a successful college career from 2021 to 2024, making 63 tackles and 1.5 sacks over his college career. He was known for making plays in short-yardage situations and for blocking defensive line holes. After his signing with Tampa Bay, he began to drop weight, losing around 25 to 30 pounds by the start of training camp.

While he is currently sidelined, he could become a key player in stopping the run once he’s ready. The Bucs are eager to have him ready to play due to injuries on the team. They hope to have a long-term plan for Watson by the end of this week.