NFL rookie is deemed TOO FAT to play and forced to watch from the sideline until he loses weight
The Buccaneers signed Watson as an undrafted rookie and, in doing so, he became the heaviest player in NFL history - weighing in at 464 pounds.
Watson has reportedly been on a mission to bring that number down but, according to General Manager Jason Licht, the defensive lineman still has a way to go.
Licht said: 'We have some milestones we want him to hit before we get him out there. He's doing a solid job getting there. That's all I'll say.'
Watson has since been placed on the non-football illness list and, now, footage of the 22-year-old watching on from the sidelines has since gone viral.
The Buccaneers rookie trudged out of the tunnel onto the field, where his teammates were running some practice drills.
HEARTBREAKING: #Bucs 430+ pound defensive tackle Desmond Watson was not allowed to play last night because he weighs too much.
😞
Watson was forced to sit on the sidelines all night long and will not be able to play until he loses more weight. pic.twitter.com/INNmsSLIbA
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) August 10, 2025
Watson, however, remained on the sidelines and appeared in good spirits when in conversation with a few of his coaches.
Last month, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles confirmed that Watson's absence from training camp was related to his weight.
'It's just about trying to get him better, to be a healthier player and get him on the field more,' Bowles said. 'That's where I'm at right now. He's working at it and we're working with him and that's all you can ask.'
'We have some things in mind with him, where we want to see him at,' Bowles said. 'He's made some progress. . . . I don't have a timetable on what we can get him down to or when that comes.'
As it stands, Watson remains a long shot to earn a spot on the 53-player roster for the regular season.
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