Buccaneers re-sign 464-pound Desmond Watson to practice squad ahead of Week 4 vs. Eagles

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed defensive tackle Desmond Watson and added him to the practice squad as they prepare for Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Watson, a 6-foot-6, 464-pound rookie out of Florida, had been with the team this offseason but did not make the 53-man roster after failing to meet conditioning requirements.

Watson was widely described as the heaviest player in NFL history, and his return to the practice squad comes as the Buccaneers seek to add depth on the defensive line. Head coach Todd Bowles said the 6-foot-6 lineman had a good workout when he visited the facility last week, and the team would consider whether he can contribute beyond any single scheme. He said, "We’ll never bring him in just to stop a tush push. If we bring him in, we think he can play, not just for a Philadelphia thing." He cautioned it is very unlikely Watson would be ready to play against the Eagles right away, but added the club would evaluate a longer-term role.

Watson has been working with a nutritionist this summer, and the Buccaneers did not publicly specify an ideal target weight. Earlier this year, Watson described a history of weight gain and said he had tried to shed unhealthy habits. He recalled that at Florida he would frequently pull off the road to grab food. "Stopping while driving," he said, "don’t go inside the gas station. Pay at the pump. There are stores and a lot of temptations. That’s helped me immensely."

Watson appeared at the Buccaneers’ rookie minicamp on May 9, 2025, in Tampa, and has continued to train with the team in the months since. The club’s decision to bring him back to the practice squad underscores its plan to evaluate depth on the defensive line as it faces a potential challenge from Philadelphia’s rushing game.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.