Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Desmond Watson revealed that he's lost significant weight after he was cut ahead of the season for being too heavy
14:35 ET, 10 Oct 2025
Desmond Watson has lost a significant amount of weight since being cut by the Buccaneers
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Desmond Watson has lost a significant amount of weight since being cut by the Buccaneers(Image: Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Desmond Watson is making great strides towards his goal of making it in the NFL after momentarily having his dream dashed.
Watson — who actively stands as the heaviest player in the league while listed at 449 pounds — has experienced a rollercoaster start to his NFL career. After missing all of Buccaneers training camp while on the NFI (non-football illness) list for being overweight, he was eventually cut by Tampa Bay in August.
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Less than one month later, however, Watson was provided a lifeline once the Buccaneers signed him to the practice squad ahead of a Week 4 clash against the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Speaking to reporters, Watson revealed that he’s worked diligently in recent months to lose a significant amount of weight. “I’m proud of it,” he said.
“It’s a good number — obviously good enough to be signed back. I don’t want to say a specific number, but it’s been enough to obviously get signed back. I’m blessed.”
During Friday’s practice, Watson donned a far slimmer look while participating in running warmups at One Buc Place. Over the offseason, he was barred from all practice drills and only allowed to walk laps around the field.
“That was the longest I’ve had without practicing against people since I was like seven years old,” Watson conceded. “That was tough. It was definitely an adjustment, but it feels great to practice now.
“I feel blessed to be able to help this organization any way possible, so getting back into it, it feels great.”
Though Watson has always considered himself to be athletically gifted, the 22-year-old has at times struggled with controlling what he eats.
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With the help of the Buccaneers nutrition and dietary staff as well as the team’s strength and conditioning staff, Watson has vastly improved his diet while being more conscientious of his intake.
“I’ve always been an athlete and been able to do athletic things,” Watson said. “But the big thing I see as to what was holding me back was dieting. That was a major part of it.
“I’ve always been working out and things like that throughout my life. The thing I had to change was the way I ate and my relationship with food.
“I had to get on a support system with people I trusted to hold me accountable. It’s not always easy taking tips from people, but I had to get around certain people that was okay with holding me accountable and I keep them close to me now.”
At times, Watson has turned to a teammate who once stood in similar shoes for support. Fellow defensive tackle Vita Vea has also struggled to keep his weight down in the past, but currently clocks in at 347 pounds.
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“A person in my situation I feel like I should be a shadow for a player like Vita,” Watson said. “He’s a great player in the game; a long-time vet and he’s motivated a guy like me.
“So, I try to sit here and be a sponge and learn everything I can from him – inside and out and the way he prepares.”