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Desmond Watson is still not allowed to practice. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still trying to figure out their plan for how to get the massive NFL rookie on the field after he loses even more weight.
In the meantime, he looks bored out of his skull.
Watson remains on the sideline while his new NFL teammates go through drills at practice. All he can do is stand there and watch.
Desmond Watson needs to lose more weight.
It is not fair to discredit the former Florida Gator’s athleticism. Watson proved to be a dominant force on the defensive line while in college. He recorded 20 total tackles as a senior.
However, his role as a hole-clogger might be even more important to his future career. Watson’s massive frame causes chaos in the trenches.
The 22-year-old is listed on Tampa Bay’s roster at 6-foot-6, 449 pounds. The Buccaneers want him to lose an undisclosed amount of weight before they put their undrafted free agent in pads.
They placed him on the non-football injury list because head coach Todd Bowles wants him to be a “healthier player on the field.” Watson is forced to run laps in the hot Florida heat during training camp while his teammates practice around him.
And when he is not running, he is watching from a distance.
He looks extremely bored.
The monstrous rookie wants to get to work. His employer won’t let him.
When will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers allow him to practice?
Desmond Watson’s most recent weight report presented a very optimistic timeline for his return to football but the team itself has yet to provide an official plan. Bowles is not quite sure what to do, yet.
However, unlike previous discussions, the fourth-year head coach actually seemed upbeat and optimistic. He and his staff are going to figure out what is next for their overweight defensive tackle by the end of the week.
Here’s Todd Bowles on Desmond Watson, who still isn’t practicing — he says that he’d like to have a long-term plan in place for Watson but they’re gonna talk about it these next two days pic.twitter.com/IuxYV3aMup
— River Wells (@riverhwells) August 19, 2025
The Bucs would love to get him involved sooner than later. Especially as they deal with injuries on that side of the ball.
Desmond Watson is obviously more valuable on the field than off. If he is taking his weight loss as seriously as Bowles seems to suggest, it sounds like a return could be imminent. Perhaps even as soon as next week.
That is great news for football fans everywhere. Who doesn’t want to watch one of the heaviest players in league history?!
