Rookie Desmond Watson, famously nicknamed the “tush push terminator”, hit a major roadblock in his NFL journey. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially released the 22-year-old defensive lineman ahead of the 53-man roster deadline, leaving his NFL dreams temporarily on pause.
The news was first reported by Greg Auman, and it comes after Watson had been trying to shed weight and improve his conditioning in hopes of getting on the field.
“It’s just about trying to get him better, to be a healthier player and getting him on the field a little more,” head coach Todd Bowles explained last month. “That’s kind of where I’m at right now. He’s working at it and we’re working with him and that’s all you can ask right now.”
Bucs are waiving rookie defensive tackle Desmond Watson, who had been on the non-football illness list all of training camp. Had needed to get his weight down — could have moved him to reserve-NFI, but they'll cut him outright. Not going to practice squad at the moment.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 25, 2025
No Preseason Action for Watson
Unfortunately, Watson never got a chance to see any preseason snaps with the Buccaneers. During training camp, he was placed on the non-football injury list due to concerns about his weight and overall health.
Despite limited college stats — 63 tackles, four for a loss, and 1.5 sacks — Watson drew attention for his massive size and potential as a disruptive force on the defensive line.
In a May interview with TMZ Sports, Watson admitted he had work to do to hit peak performance.
“I feel like I have a lot of weight to lose and still be big, if that makes sense,” he said.
The rookie clearly recognized that agility and speed were just as important as size at the professional level.
Can He Stay in Tampa?
While Watson’s release is a setback, all hope is not lost. The Buccaneers can still offer him a spot on the practice squad if he clears waivers, giving him time to continue his weight loss journey and prove he can compete at the NFL level.
For now, though, Watson’s NFL debut has been put on ice, and fans will be watching closely to see if he can bounce back stronger than ever.
What’s Next for the “Tush Push Terminator”?
- Weight Loss & Conditioning: Watson must continue to shed pounds to become faster and more agile.
- Practice Squad Opportunity: A chance to stay in Tampa while improving skills.
- Future Tryouts: Other teams may express interest once he clears waivers.
📣 Fan Question: Do you think Desmond Watson can come back stronger and make an NFL roster? Drop your thoughts below!
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