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Bucs rookie Desmond Watson must lose weight if he wants to practice with the team. During the NFL combine, Watson went viral for showcasing his athleticism despite weighing over 460 pounds.
464-POUND DT DESMOND WATSON RAN A 5.86 40-YARD DASH—WHICH IS INSANELY FAST 🤯
Using his weight & speed, here’s what he’d run at lighter weights:
O-lineman: 300 lbs: 4.71
Tight end: 255 lbs: 4.34
Running back: 225 lbs: 4.08
Wide receiver: 210 lbs: 3.94 pic.twitter.com/uP4PSpfsZ7
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) March 28, 2025
Unfortunately, Watson has been deemed too heavy by the Bucs, and they want him to lose weight before he can practice with the team.
“It’s just about trying to get him better, to be a healthier player and getting him on the field a little more.” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles told reporters. “That’s kind of where I’m at right now. He’s working at it and we’re working with him and that’s all you can ask right now.”
On Monday, Watson was seen running laps in the brutal 95-degree Florida heat while trying to shed some weight.
TRENDING: 464-pound #Buccaneers rookie DT Desmond Watson has to run 10 LAPS around the field without stopping once in 95° weather.
The team told Watson that he cannot practice until he LOSSES WEIGHT and he is currently on the Non-Football Injury List.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) July 28, 2025
As of now, it’s unclear when Watson will be cleared to practice.
“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.”