Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie defensive tackle Desmond Watson has been making headlines, albeit not for his on-field play. Watson, who tips the scales at 449 pounds, was placed on the non-football injury list by the team ahead of its NFL preseason Week 1 game.
Watson, who played his college football at Florida, was not allowed on the playing field during the game. But videos were circulated online showing him coming out onto the Buccaneers’ sideline with his helmet in hand.
Still, Watson has a long way to go to get his weight down. The Buccaneers will play the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL preseason Week 2 contest on Saturday, Aug. 16, at 7 p.m. E.T.
What Happened to Desmond Watson?
As previously mentioned, Watson has been grappling with weight concerns. He reportedly weighed 464 pounds earlier this year. While defensive tackles need to be good-sized when playing along the defensive line, they also must be mobile. Watson stands 6’6″, so his height is a plus.
His weight, however, might limit his impact, since tackles are meant to clog lanes but also must execute pivotal plays within any defensive system.
He reportedly is working with a team nutritionist to help his diet. The Buccaneers must have seen something worthwhile in Watson’s play with the Gators. He joined Tampa Bay after going undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. Watson weighed 464 pounds at Florida’s pro day, according to The Associated Press, and lost 25 to 30 pounds before the draft.
Who Will Step Up for the Buccaneers Without Watson?
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles, when talking about Watson’s situation in late July, did not have a set schedule for when he would join the active roster.
“I don’t have a timetable on what we can get him down to or when that comes,” Bowles said. “He’s from Armwood, he went to Florida, so he’s used to the heat. That’s not a big factor in it. We’ve just got to see what happens.”
Who will Bowles look to for defensive line help without Watson? Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, and Logan Hall will hold things down. Vea had nine run stuffs in 2024, was 34th among qualified defensive linemen, and contributed seven sacks on an 11.1% pressure rate, according to Sharp Football Analysis.
All three will be counted on to deliver again in the trenches for Tampa Bay.
How Does Watson’s Absence Affect Tampa Bay’s Strategy?
Watson’s absence only affects the Buccaneers in that he is not getting live reps during training camp. He was not going to have an impact on the field right away.
Watson must keep his focus on his weight issues. Bowles has been watching other players, like Shilo Sanders, go out there and compete on the field.
The Buccaneers’ defensive tackle situation can be handled by those three veterans mentioned earlier. Watson will be on the sideline for some time to come.
