Florida Gators defensive tackle Desmond Watson did not get selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent, but did not make their roster or practice squad out of training camp. Nearly one month to the day after being cut, though, he’s back in the league.
On Tuesday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reported the Bucs were signing Watson to their practice squad. FOX Sports reporter Greg Auman added that the move came after Watson “met [the Buccaneers’] requirements to get in shape.”
Watson, who stands 6-foot-6, weighed in at 449 lbs. during the offseason in Tampa Bay. According to ESPN’s Jenna Laine, Watson, “spent training camp on the active/non-football illness list and participated in conditioning exercises in an effort to get his weight down to what the team deemed was an acceptable level.”
Regardless of Watson’s new weight, the timing of the Buccaneers adding him to their practice squad is impeccable. Tampa Bay hosts the Philadelphia Eagles — whose “Tush Push” has dominated NFL conversation — this Sunday afternoon. If Watson and Vita Vea (6-foot-4, 346 lbs.) are lined up in the A-gaps on 4th down, Philly may think twice about running the play. The Buccaneers and Eagles will kick off at 1:00 p.m. E.T. on Sept. 28 (FOX).
