NFL rookie Desmond Watson forced to lose weight before even touching the field
Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Desmond Watson is in a very challenging position due to his weight. Here, July 2025, the team's training camp is already well under way in Tampa, Florida.
At around 450 pounds, Desmond Watson is still not allowed to participate in team activities. You can almost feel how much he wants to play as he walks laps under the hot sun. But until he meets the team's fitness standards, he must wait. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are focused on his health and want him in better shape before letting him join practice.
What happened to Desmond Watson at Tampa Bay Buccaneers' camp
Former Florida Gators defensive tackle Desmond Watson signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after going undrafted in April 2025.
He weighed around 464 pounds and was measured 6 feet 6 inches at his professional day in March. By early July, he had lost roughly 25 to 30 pounds, reaching about 450 pounds but Cleveland's coaches still barred him from practice.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coach Todd Bowles said,
'It's just about trying to get him better, to be a healthier player and getting him on the field a little more… He's working at it and we're working with him'.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain
Knee pain | search ads
Find Now
Undo
Watson was placed on the non‑football injury list (NFI) starting camp week, and the team has set an undisclosed weight target before clearing him to practice.
Desmond Watson shows effort and heart while waiting for practice clearance
Desmond Watson, aged 22, has not given up. At practice camp in Tampa, he was seen walking laps around the field without pads, in the heat reaching mid‑90s Fahrenheit, working on his fitness. He is also working with team nutritionists to improve his health and reach the team's benchmarks.
Cordially, Desmond Watson said in May that he hopes to be known not just for his size but for his football skill.
'It is nice to make history,'
he said referencing being the heaviest player in NFL history,
'but I want to be known as a football player, and a good football player at that'.
Also Read:
Top Five NFL Teams That Might Surprise Everyone This Season
At Florida, he tallied 63 total tackles and 1.5 sacks in 51 games over four seasons. Watson bench‑pressed 225 lb thirty‑six times at the 2025 combine, more than anyone else, and ran a vertical jump of 25 in.
Though he's big, the Buccaneers and Watson seem to share a goal: get his weight under control, assist him in getting healthier, and perhaps let him compete later in camp. Watson stays on the sidelines until then, hoping his efforts will bear off fast.
FAQs
Why is Desmond Watson not practicing with the Buccaneers?
Desmond Watson is not practicing because the team wants him to lose more weight first.
How much does Desmond Watson weigh right now?
Desmond Watson currently weighs around 450 pounds.
What is Desmond Watson doing during Buccaneers training camp?
Desmond Watson is walking laps and working with coaches to get in better shape.
For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the
India vs England Test match
here.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Cleveland Browns sign 6th QB Tyler Huntley amidst growing QB competition
(Image via Getty: Tyler Huntley) Deshaun Watson? Injured. Joe Flacco? Veteran. Kenny Pickett? Brought from the Super Bowl LIX winning team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Dillon Gabriel? Rookie. Shedeur Sanders? Rookie. And now enters–Tyler Huntley. The Cleveland Browns bring in a sixth quarterback to the already-full quarterback room. Zac Jackson of The Athletic reacted to this move, speaking for everyone, 'This is unbelievable for many reasons, most of all that all four were involved in practice today on some level.' Now, the question arises–which quarterbacks will be given up before the 2025 NFL season? But first– What is the quarterback rule? According to the quarterback rule–one is a starter, one is a backup, and a third QB is picked from the inactive list and allowed to dress for the game. Out of the six quarterbacks–only three will stay with the Cleveland Browns. Who's going to play? Only time will tell. For now, let's check out the Cleveland Browns' sixth quarterback! Tyler Huntley. Tyler Huntley enters a crowded Cleveland Browns QB room Tyler Huntley's NFL journey was full of ups and downs. The quarterback carries a history of three practice-squad appearances. The Baltimore Ravens picked him in the 2020 NFL Draft(when he went undrafted). He played for the Ravens till 2023. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Write Better, Work Smarter With This Desktop App Grammarly Install Now Undo In 2022, he even earned his first Pro Bowl selection. In March 2024, Huntley entered the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns–but within five months, he was released from their 53-man roster. In August 2024, he became a practice squad member for the Ravens. In September 2024, Huntley became a backup QB for the Miami Dolphins. Playing for the Dolphins last season, he garnered 86 of 133 passes for 829 yards, three TDs, three interceptions, 26 carries for 135 yards and two TDs. When their star signal caller, Tua Tagovailoa, was injured in Week 17, Huntley played against the Cleveland Browns. The Dolphins won against the Browns by a riveting score of 20-3! Huntley accumulated 225 passing yards, one passing TD, seven carries for 52 rushing yards, and one rushing TD. Why was Tyler Huntley brought to Cleveland Browns? Deshaun Watson suffered a second Achilles tendon tear, and his appearance in the 2025 season is doubtful Kenny Pickett injured his hamstring muscle on July 26–which stopped him from practising completely Dillon Gabriel is suffering from hamstring muscle tightness–he will be a limited participant in practice Shedeur Sanders suffered from soreness in his arm and throwing shoulder–he's getting treated Joe Flacco is healthy and remains at the top spot of the quarterback competition On August 4, Brian DeArdo of CBS Sports reported that Tyler Huntley would probably enter the practice squad(history of three practice-squad appearances). The chances of trading Shedeur Sanders seem slim. Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel may become trade options for the Browns. Also Read: Caleb Williams misses every target in accuracy drill–fan declares, 'He's trash' | NFL News - Times of India Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
NFL star Tom Brady celebrates 48th birthday; See wishes and where he is now
The world of the NFL recently celebrated one of its most iconic players, Tom Brady's 48th birthday. Known for his contributions to the sport, unbeatable records, and globe-trotting, Brady sure has a lot to celebrate at 48. NFL legend Tom Brady celebrated his 48th birthday with family and a tribute to his sister on Instagram. (Photo by Buda Mendes / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP) Birthday wishes The NFL star took to his Instagram stories to share a special birthday wish for his sister Julie, with whom he shares his birthday. Brady posted a picture featuring his three children- Jack, Benjamin, and Vivian- standing with his sister. The family is posing in front of a background of palm trees in what seems to be a casual celebration. ALSO READ| Tom Brady turns 48: A look at NFL star's sweetest moments with his three kids "And a big Happy Birthday to the greatest sister and aunt in the world. Thanks for being our biggest fans and always looking out for us. We love you so much!!!!!" he wrote on the picture. Brady shares his eldest son, Jack with former girlfriend Bridget Moynahan. Benjamin and Vivian are from his ex-wife, Gisele Bundchen. Soccer icon David Beckham also took to his stories to share some birthday love with Brady by putting up a picture featuring him wearing and showing off all seven of his Super Bowl rings with the caption, "Happy Birthday '. Where is Tom Brady now? If there's anyone who can associate touching fifty with just being a number, it would be former New England Patriots star Brady. Despite retiring from the limelight and rumors of a second un-retirement on the brink, Brady has still managed to maintain an impressive fan following over the years. Despite having taken a backseat from the field, Brady's personal life remains in the spotlight. He recently made headlines while attending Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos' Venice wedding, where multiple tabloids like Page Six claimed that he had started a casual relationship with Modern Family actress Sofia Vergara. ALSO READ| Will Joe Burrow step into the preseason field? Former Bengals' QB pitches in Recently, the Prime Video series called 'Built in Birmingham: Brady & The Blues' debuted. The show featured his role in building the British soccer team, Birmingham City FC. He also remains a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. Stuti Gupta contributed to this story
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Will Joe Burrow step into the preseason field? Former Bengals' QB pitches in
NFL stars like Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals are usually reserved for the benches during the team's postseason run to avoid chances of injury and let their true caliber shine through when the regular season rolls around. However, according to former Bengals quarterback and NFL analyst Boomer Esiason, allowing Burrow to end the field early this preseason may help the team make the playoffs this year. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow jogs onto the field during practice at the NFL football team's stadium, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)(AP) ALSO READ| 2025 NFL preseason: Full schedule, key matchups, and dates What Boomer Esiason has to say During a recent appearance on the 'Up & Adams Show', Esiason said, 'I can only go by personal experience. We had four preseason games, so we had a lot of time to play. So it would be ten plays in the first preseason game, a quarter in the second, and in the third preseason game, we would play the first come and go in the second half. These guys only have three games, and I think he needs to play. They all need to play. I think they would be better early on in the season, and they would be more aware of it. I'm glad he is going to play in the preseason.' Suggesting a methodical ramp-up, Esiason believes that this sort of structured buildup would help Burrow find his footing and be prepared in advance for the pressures of October. Referring to the Bengals' loss against the Patriots in their opening game last season, the former quarterback strongly favours urging Burrow to step out onto the field sooner rather than later. Could Joe Burrow step into the preseason field? In a recent conversation with the media, Bengals' chief coach Zac Taylor suggested that Burrow may get more preseason action as the team pulls itself out of its initial turmoil, as reported by The Sports Rush. So far, Burrow hasn't been spotted in action much. Last season, the QB missed several parts of training camp due to injury, and the Bengals went through a 1-3 record in September. ALSO READ| Tom Brady turns 48: A look at NFL star's sweetest moments with his three kids The Bengals will open their three-game stint by playing against the Philadelphia Eagles on August 7. Stuti Gupta contributed to this story
