Buccaneers sign 464-pound Desmond Watson to practice squad ahead of Week 4, fueling talk of counter to Eagles' Tush Push
Analyst theory about countering Philadelphia's short-yardage push sparks debate; coach Bowles downplays the idea as Evans injury creates roster needs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday signed 464-pound defensive tackle Desmond Watson to their practice squad, a move that comes ahead of Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles and their widely discussed short-yardage Tush Push. The development has rekindled online conversation about whether the behemoth interior lineman could be deployed in specific situations to counter the Eagles’ go-ahead plays.
Watson weighed 464 pounds during the draft process and has battled weight concerns throughout his college career. He trimmed down to about 449 pounds by summer, but was waived at the end of training camp after evaluators questioned his weight. The Buccaneers re-signed him to the practice squad, signaling that they remain confident in his conditioning as he pursues an NFL career. Watson has experience on both sides of the ball, having played as a defensive tackle and, in Florida, even lining up at fullback when he carried the ball.
The signing has drawn attention from NFL analyst Warren Sharp, who floated a theory that the Buccaneers could use Watson on short-yardage plays to disrupt the Eagles’ Tush Push. Sharp posted on X that the timing of the move—occurring the week the Buccaneers face Philadelphia—could be intentional. Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles dismissed that line of thinking, saying the team would not bring in a player solely to stop a single play and indicating Watson probably won’t be ready to dress for Sunday.
Watson’s addition comes as the Buccaneers face roster questions on offense. Wide receiver Mike Evans left the Week 3 win over the Jets with a hamstring injury and is expected to miss multiple weeks, creating a bigger need for offensive playmaking options. The team could look to Watson for help on short-yardage or blocking packages if he earns a spot on the active roster, though Bowles cautioned that the line between practice-squad depth and active-duty roles remains a fluid one.
The move underscores how NFL teams continuously reassess unconventional players and consider specialized roles in specific game situations. If Watson remains in consideration for the active roster, Week 4 will test whether the Buccaneers lean on him in obvious short-yardage or goal-line situations or keep him in reserve for later use. The Eagles, with their Tush Push, will be watching closely as both teams prepare for kickoff.
