How much patience do the Buccaneers have with Desmond Watson?

Desmond Watson’s path to the NFL was never going to be easy. But now, just weeks into training camp, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ undrafted rookie defensive tackle may already be running out of time. Watson, listed at over 450 pounds, was placed on the non-football injury (NFI) list at the start of camp and has yet to participate in a single drill. Despite showing impressive strength and athleticism during Florida’s pro day earlier this year, the former Gator is currently barred from team activities until he gets his weight down.

For now, he's confined to walking laps in the Florida heat.

Watson, who tipped the scales at a staggering 464 pounds during his pro day, is believed to be the heaviest player in NFL history. That kind of size doesn’t come without upside: at Florida, he played in every game over four seasons, tallying 63 tackles and 1.5 sacks. His pro day measurables, including 36 bench press reps, a 25-inch vertical, and a sub-6.0-second 40-yard dash, raised eyebrows due to his rare blend of raw power and athleticism. Head coach Todd Bowles emphasized that Watson wasn’t signed as a gimmick or “tush push” specialist, but as a potential contributor if he could get into shape. Watson is reportedly still hovering around the 440-pound mark, and while he’s reportedly lost 25–30 pounds since college, it hasn’t been enough to get him cleared.

NFL training camps are short, high-stakes auditions. Undrafted players, in particular, have precious little time to prove themselves. With Watson unable to participate, his window to impress is rapidly closing. The longer he stays sidelined, the harder it will be to justify keeping him on the roster. Watson has said the right things and kept working. He’s been visible at practices, encouraging teammates and continuing his conditioning.

But it’s becoming increasingly clear that progress off the field will have to accelerate if he’s going to get a real shot on the field.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: How much patience do the Bucs have with Desmond Watson?