There were a lot of surprising roster cuts made by the Bucs on Monday to get down to 53 players ahead of the regular season. One of the biggest names not to make the team – literally and figuratively – was undrafted free agent defensive tackle Desmond Watson.

Watson, who weighs over 400 pounds, did not participate at all during training camp and the preseason as he attempted to shed the needed weight to factor into the team's plans. While the team could have kept the former Florida Gator on the reserve-NFI (non-football illness) list throughout the season, they instead chose to waive him. Speaking on Tuesday after most of the roster decisions had been made, head coach Todd Bowles made it sound like Watson would not be immediately on the practice squad, either.

Rather, it sounds like the long-term plan to get him into playing shape will continue behind the scenes while he is not on an NFL roster.

Todd Bowles: "The Door Is Not Closed On Desmond Watson"

Last Tuesday, Todd Bowles sounded optimistic about keeping Desmond Watson 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 then.

Fast forward just a week, Watson finds himself on the outside looking in on the Bucs' roster.

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

This is just the latest part of a football journey that has been anything but ordinary. The Plant City native grew into a local legend at Armwood High School, where his sheer size and surprising quickness made him a dominant force. By the time he left Seffner, Watson had piled up 158 tackles and 24 sacks, setting the stage for a headline-grabbing career at Florida.

During his time with the Gators, Watson became a cult figure – not just for his massive frame, but for his durability. He never missed a game in four seasons, playing on Florida's defensive front and even delivering one unforgettable Gasparilla Bowl highlight when he rumbled for a first down as a 400-plus-pound ball carrier. By his senior year, Watson had cemented himself as a fan favorite.

His pro day fueled that spotlight, when at 464 pounds, Watson became the heaviest NFL prospect ever measured. He then turned heads with 36 bench reps and flashes of raw athleticism that made him more than just a novelty. The Bucs took a chance by signing him as a local undrafted free agent and gave him $70,000, betting on upside and hometown ties.

But reality hit him hard in camp, when he was out there every day on the practice field spectating rather than suiting up.

Bowles did not sugarcoat the situation after Watson did not lose enough weight to start practicing and get into any game action.

"The door is not closed on him, but if you don't practice, you're probably not going to make this team," Bowles said after Tuesday's practice. "We'll see where we are in a couple of weeks, we'll circle back, and then we'll go from there."

Asked further about if he was close to hitting his goals, Bowles refused to provide a timeline.

Bucs GM Jason Licht and HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

"We were in the last week of camp," Bowles added. "When you're in the last week of camp and the last preseason game and you're not going to practice, you're surely not going to play. I don't know what close means. A week? A month? When you don't practice, you're probably not going to make this team. An old saying, 'You can't make the club in the tub.' We'll circle back. He's been working hard. I think he's going to continue to work hard. We had a long talk and good communication, we'll circle back and see where he's at."

For now, Desmond Watson will remain close by as he continues to work on his conditioning. That will not come at the AdventHealth Training Center, but based on Bowles' thoughts, it sounds like Watson can reappear in short order if he loses enough weight. It is unclear about just how much he needs to lose, but one would think 380-400 pounds is an ideal benchmark. He will always be a massive nose tackle with a one-of-one build, but whether he makes it in the NFL is to be determined.