A second chance for giant Desmond Watson

Former University of Florida defensive tackle Desmond Watson has taken an important step in his professional career.

According to a source close to the matter quoted by the Associated Press, the defensive lineman has agreed to a contract that will allow him to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice squad. The team had not yet confirmed the information at the time of the announcement.

Ignored in last April's NFL draft, Watson nonetheless drew attention for his outsized frame. At six feet, six inches tall, he weighed a record 464 pounds at his pro day, becoming the heaviest player ever drafted in NFL history. Despite losing 25 to 30 pounds before the draft, his physical condition remained an obstacle, preventing him from practicing with his teammates at camp.

Placed on the list of injured or ill players outside official activities, Watson worked with a nutritionist during the off-season. However, the team never specified what weight he had to reach to be deemed fit to play.

Todd Bowles remains cautious about his use

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles acknowledged that the young player had provided “a good practice” in his recent return. However, he is tempering expectations of an appearance in the near future. With Tampa Bay (3-0) set to take on the Philadelphia Eagles (3-0), Bowles made it clear that he wouldn't be calling on Watson just to counter the Super Bowl champions' fearsome assisted sneak.

“If we bring him back, it's because we believe he can contribute in many aspects of the game, not just one specific phase,” he stressed.

While it's unlikely that Watson will be ready to face the Eagles as early as this week, his addition opens the door to a broader evaluation of his potential within the organization.

This content was created with the help of AI.