Desmond Watson, the heaviest player in the NFL, has been placed on the non-football injury list by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They were forced to make this decision out of concern for his weight and overall health. The Bills had originally signed him as an undrafted free agent back in April. Previously, Watson played college football for the University of Florida. He measured 464 pounds at the school’s pro day but got that down to somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 to 30 pounds before the NFL draft.
The Buccaneers’ head coach, Todd Bowles, addressed Watson’s situation, emphasizing the team’s commitment to his health. Bowles urged the need to improve Watson’s state of affairs. We believe this improvement will allow him to enhance his contributions on the field, as well.
“It’s just about trying to get him better, to be a healthier player and getting him on the field a little more,” said Bowles. This statement is a clear indication of the organization’s willingness to recognize the uphill battle Watson will have and their desire to help him grow.
Make no mistake, Bowles has done the right things to keep Watson’s weight in check. He acknowledged there’s no concrete timetable for Watson’s development as of right now. “I don’t have a timetable on what we can get him down to or when that comes,” he stated, indicating that the team is taking a cautious approach.
Watson’s story of going from undrafted to impacting the Buccaneers as a rookie is special. While NFL scouts were rightly concerned about his high playing weight, there’s no denying the size and impressive potential he had. The team remains hopeful that with proper guidance and support, Watson can achieve a healthier weight and become a valuable asset on their roster.