The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have added 437-pound defensive tackle Desmond Watson ahead of their showdown with NFC opponents, the Philadelphia Eagles, this coming Sunday.
The Bucs and Eagles are headed into the Week 4 clash with 3-0 records, with the Eagles pulling off an epic comeback at home against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3 after all appeared lost.
Watson originally signed with Tampa Bay in April after going undrafted. He was released as part of the team’s cut drive last month, having spent training camp and preseason on the non-football injury list because of his weight and conditioning.
The team didn’t rule out a potential return and hosted him for a tryout on Friday, given that he lost significant weight and is in much better shape.
According to FOX’s Greg Auckman, the former Florida player has joined the Bucs practice squad. Curiously enough, it comes ahead of their game against the Eagles, whose Tush Push has been the subject of controversy this season, although it wasn’t the reason fans thought their win was rigged on Sunday.
Todd Bowles Insists Desmond Watson Isn’t Being Signed Simply To Stop The Tush Push
The Super Bowl champs did employ the play, leading to rife complaints, and it’s likely to be used against the Buccaneers. Still, head coach Todd Bowles insists Watson isn’t being added to stop Philly’s formidable play. He noted that the 22-year-old, known as “Big Dez,” might not even be ready to play by Sunday.
“We’ll never bring him in just to stop the Tush Push,” Bowles said of the former Florida Gators and Armwood High School star who spent the offseason and training camp on the Bucs’ non-football illness list before being waived in August. “If we’ve got to bring a guy in just to stop one play and the Tush Push never comes up, you’re wasting your time.
Bowles also told reporters he’s not opposed to the Tush Push and isn’t one of the coaches who wants it banned.
“‘I’m a fan of creativity,” he said. “If somebody crafts something & they do it well & it’s within the rules, it’s up to the other side of the ball to stop them… They have something they do very well… If everyone else could do it, everybody would be doing it. It’s a challenge for all the defensive coaches to try to stop it, and that being me included.”
While Bowles is fine with the Eagles’ quarterback sneak, one former referee is done with it.
In any case, it will be interesting to see how the Bucs respond to it on Sunday, especially if Watson plays.
