Eagles could see Bucs roll out a 464-pound secret weapon for the Tush Push

The Eagles are heading to Tampa Bay this weekend and the Bucs just made a move that screams “break glass in case of Tush Push.” Tampa re-signed Desmond Watson, a literal 464-pound mountain of a defensive tackle, to their practice squad days before kickoff.

Watson isn’t some random camp body. He’s the Florida product who bench-pressed 225 pounds 36 times at his Pro Day and went viral for being the heaviest NFL prospect in years. The Bucs cut him in August after he failed to meet weight goals, but suddenly he’s back in the building and working out with the team right before they face the only club in the league built to convert 3rd-and-1 in their sleep. Coincidence? Please.

Eagles’ Tush Push Living Rent-Free in NFC Opponents’ Heads

#Buccaneers have signed 400-plus pound DT Desmond Watson to the practice squad. Coach Todd Bowles said Monday he wouldn't be signed just to face the #Eagles tush push and probably wouldn't be ready to play Sunday. Bowles: "He had a good workout. … we'll never bring him in just…

— Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) September 23, 2025

Tampa’s coaches are publicly denying it, of course. Todd Bowles told reporters they “wouldn’t bring in a guy just to stop a tush push” and that Watson “probably won’t be ready” to play Sunday. Sure. And the sun probably won’t rise over Raymond James Stadium either. Every defensive coordinator in the NFC is obsessed with finding an answer to the Eagles’ signature play, and the timing of this signing is about as subtle as a Kelly Green jersey in Dallas.

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Even if Watson doesn’t make the 53 this week, the Bucs just gave themselves a massive practice-squad chess piece they can elevate at any time. With Calijah Kancey lost for the season, Tampa’s defensive line depth is thin. Adding a 464-pounder who once moonlighted as a short-yardage fullback in college feels like the ultimate “break glass for the tush push” plan.

Expect the Eagles to See Him Sooner Rather Than Later

The Eagles have made the tush push their calling card, and they’re daring teams to stop it. Tampa’s move shows how much stress that one play is putting on the rest of the league. Watson may not be in game shape yet, but you don’t stash a 464-pound bench-press freak on your practice squad by accident right before playing the team that’s turned QB sneaks into a religion.

If Bowles and the Bucs are hoping to surprise the Birds on a critical 4th-and-1, it’s only a matter of time before Watson’s giant frame is on the field trying to submarine Cam Jurgens and the interior line. Whether it works or not is another story, the Eagles’ offensive front has pancaked plenty of big bodies before, but Tampa’s desperation is obvious.

The Bucs can deny it all they want, but this signing is all about the Eagles and their unstoppable Tush Push. Get ready for a heavyweight clash at the goal line Sunday afternoon.