Desmond Watson Reportedly Waived by Bucs, 449-Pound DT Was on UDFA Contract

Tampa Bay Buccaneers undrafted rookie defensive tackle Desmond Watson was one of the team's most notable storylines of training camp, but his time has reportedly run out.

According to ESPN's Jenna Laine, the Bucs are waiving Watson, who was officially listed at 449 pounds this offseason.

Watson spent training camp on the active/non-football illness list and didn't participate in practice or play in the preseason. Laine noted that he instead "participated in conditioning exercises in an effort to get his weight down to what the team deemed was an acceptable level." He was active for rookie minicamp in May and the team's three-day mandatory minicamp in June.

There's a chance that the Bucs bring back Watson on their practice squad after they cut down to their final 53-man roster on Tuesday. Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles previously expressed interest in keeping former Florida Gator in the fold.

"I'd like to have some long-term plans for him going forward because he's making some progress and I feel like down the line he can help us, but we'll have those conversations toward the end of the week," Bowles said last Tuesday, per Laine.

Watson finished his college career at Florida with 63 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, a pass deflection and a forced fumble, so he's capable of making an impact when given the chance. He will have to continue to work his way into better shape if he hopes to earn a shot at the NFL level.