Desmond Watson, the Plant City native who came into Tampa Bay’s training camp at more than 400 pounds, was released Tuesday by the Buccaneers.
The Bucs, faced with reducing their roster from 91 to 53 players, also cut Shilo Sanders, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
The Bucs are also moving on from backup quarterback Kyle Trask, another UF product.
ALSO READ: Armwood grad Watson could become the heaviest NFL draft pick ever
Watson, who played at the University of Florida and Armwood High School, was signed by the Bucs as a free agent after going undrafted in April.
He weighed 464 pounds this spring and lost 25 to 30 pounds before the draft but didn’t get a chance to practice with the Bucs because he didn’t lose enough weight. Watson had been working with a team nutritionist, but the team didn’t say what would be an ideal playing weight for him.
The 6-foot-5 defensive lineman was listed at 449 pounds on the Bucs' most recent roster.
He spent training camp on the non-football injury list. He was observed daily on the sidelines of the practice field without pads.
“The door is not closed on him, but if you don’t practice, you’re probably not going to make this team,” Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles said. "We’ll see where we are in a couple weeks and we’ll circle back and we’ll go from there. We’re in the last week of camp. If you’re not practicing, you’re not going to play. He’s been working hard, we had a good talk, and we’ll circle back and see where he’s at.”
Watson would be the heaviest player in NFL history if he gets a chance to play in the league.
“He’s still working. Job’s not finished,” Watson’s agent EJ Gonzalez told the AP.
Sanders, another popular free-agent signing by Tampa Bay, was let go Sunday, a day after he was ejected from a preseason game for throwing a punch.
Sanders was battling for a roster spot after going undrafted out of the University of Colorado, where his father is the head coach. He had been considered a long shot to make the team.
During Tampa Bay’s 23-19 loss to Buffalo on Saturday, Sanders was engaged with Buffalo tight end Zach Davidson for a few yards, pushing and shoving each other. He was immediately flagged after throwing a punch at Davidson and disqualified.
ALSO READ: Shilo Sanders makes a big first impression at Bucs' rookie camp
He was also penalized for pass interference in the game.
“You can't throw punches in this league. It’s inexcusable. They're gonna get you every time," Bowles said after the game. “You gotta grow from that."
Sanders, a hard-hitting and playmaking safety, had an impressive debut for the Bucs in the preseason opener against Tennessee. But he had strong competition to make Tampa Bay's roster.
He signed with Tampa Bay after being passed up in the NFL draft. During the first day of rookie camp in May, he impressed coaches with his intelligence.
Trask’s departure will give recently signed veteran Teddy Bridgewater the backup role behind starter Baker Mayfield.
The Bucs selected Trask in the second round of the 2021 draft with hopes of him taking over after Tom Brady’s retirement. He came into camp this year as the No. 2 quarterback after re-signing on a one-year deal in March.
Trask is slated to receive a settlement after going on injured reserve with a shoulder issue.
Another player let go is linebacker Jose Ramirez, who played at Auburndale High School and was a sixth-round pick from Eastern Michigan.
Tampa Bay could still add any of the waived players to its practice squad if they are not claimed by another team.
The Bucs open the regular season on Sept. 7 at Atlanta.
WUSF's Rick Mayer contributed to this report.
