The Bucs have released defensive tackle Desmond Watson from the practice squad. The fan favorite missed all of training camp and the preseason due to being overweight, as he had not met the team’s goal for him at well over 450 pounds.

Yet when he made significant progress on his weight loss journey the team signed him to the practice squad on September 23 after a tryout following his release on August 25 during roster cutdowns.

The move was first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on X.

Is Desmond Watson’s Time With The Bucs Over?

Desmond Watson’s release from the practice squad was due to performance and the team needing Watson’s spot on the practice squad for another player. Watson, an undrafted free agent out of Florida, was one of three defensive tackles on the practice squad, joining fellow rookie Nash Hutmacher and veteran Adam Gotsis. With defensive tackle Calijah Kancey on injured reserve following surgery for his torn pectoral muscle, the Buccaneers have six defensive tackles on their active roster with Vita Vea, Elijah Roberts, Logan Hall, Greg Gaines, Elijah Simmons and C.J. Brewer.

This may or may not be Watson’s last chance with the Buccaneers, but the fact that he’s been cut from the active roster and the practice squad isn’t a great indicator that Tampa Bay will in fact give him another chance down the road.

Bucs DT Desmond Watson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Buccaneers suffered another injury in Sunday’s 28-23 loss to the Patriots when starting left guard Ben Bredeson went down with a hamstring injury. He’ll likely miss a few weeks due to that injury and the team may need to add another guard to the practice squad. The only offensive linemen on the practice squad are guard Ben Scott and offensive tackles Karsen Barnhart and Lorenz Metz.

Tampa Bay also received news that rookie running back Josh Williams was suspended for six games due to testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. The Buccaneers now only have two healthy running backs on their active roster in Rachaad White and Sean Tucker with Bucky Irving still trying to come back from foot and shoulder injuries he suffered in Week 4 against Philadelphia.

Bucs RB Owen Wright – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs have two running backs on their practice squad in Owen Wright, who was signed in training camp and played in the preseason, in addition to Michael Wiley, who was recently added. Wright could be signed to the active roster to replace Williams as he is more familiar with Tampa Bay’s offense.