Buccaneers rookie Desmond Watson asked to lose weight before NFL debut

Desmond Watson must lose weight before playing for the Buccaneers. At 464 lbs, he's the heaviest NFL player ever. Fans are showing support as he works on it.

Published on: Aug 13, 2025, 20:04:24 IST

By HT News Desk

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NFL rookie Desmond Watson has been given a clear condition by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Before he can play for the team, Watson must lose a significant amount of weight. He joined the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent and became the heaviest player in NFL history, according to The Sun.

Desmond Watson has been placed on the non-football injury list while he works on reducing his weight. (AP)

He weighed 464 pounds when he signed, and since then, the team's focus has been on helping him lower that number. General manager Jason Licht said Watson still has a lot of progress to make.

He 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 been placed on the non-football injury list while he works on reducing his weight.

For now, he watches from the sidelines while his teammates go through training camp.

Coach Bowles focused on Watson's health, no return date yet

Last month, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said there is no set timeline for when Watson will be ready to play. “It’s just about trying to get him better, to be a healthier player and getting him on the field a little more,” he said.

"That’s kind of where I’m at right now. He’s working at it and we’re working with him and that’s all you can ask right now. “I don’t have a timetable on what we can get him down to or when that comes.”

“He’s from Armwood, he went to Florida, so he’s used to the heat. That’s not a big factor in it,” Bowles went on, adding, “We’ve just got to see what happens.”

Fans support Desmond Watson

Watson is working with a team of nutritionists to reach a playable weight. In the meantime, fans are showing support on social media.

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One of the users wrote, “Dude already lost 30 pounds he can easily get to 390 when training camp is over.”

Another user chimed, “Stay focused, man! You got this.” A different user wrote, “Man bro, I know you’re tired of people talking about you bro lose some weight. I wanna see you play.”

One of the users wrote, “Pulling for you champ. Can’t wait to see you dominate in a pro game.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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