TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The heaviest player in NFL history may not get a chance to play in the league.
Desmond Watson was among the players released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday.
Watson, who played at Florida, was signed after going undrafted in April. He weighed 464 pounds at the school’s pro day and lost 25 to 30 pounds before the draft but didn’t get a chance to practice with the team because he didn’t lose enough weight. He spent training camp on the non-football injury list.
“He’s still working. Job’s not finished,” agent EJ Gonzalez told the AP.
The 6-foot-6 defensive tackle had been working with a team nutritionist and the team didn’t say what would be an ideal playing weight for him.
“The door is not closed on him, but if you don’t practice, you’re probably not going to make this team,” Buccaneers 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.”
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FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Desmond Watson watches from the sideline during practice at NFL football training camp, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox traded veteran outfielder Derek Hill to the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday in a swap between contending teams.
The White Sox also sent $250,000 in international bonus pool money to the Phillies for minor league outfielder Dylan Campbell and minor league infielder José Colmenares.
The 30-year-old Hill is batting .213 with four homers, eight RBIs and seven steals in 50 games this season. He was claimed off waivers by the White Sox in September.
Chicago also acquired outfielder Nolan Jones and cash from Cleveland for $250,000 in international bonus pool money. The 28-year-old Jones will report to Triple-A Charlotte.
Philadelphia added to its outfield depth after Adolis García departed Wednesday night's 7-4 victory at Toronto because of a pulled muscle in his right shoulder. García was expected to get some imaging on Thursday.
The Phillies are 28-12 since Don Mattingly took over as interim manager after Rob Thomson was fired in April. They had an off day before beginning a weekend series at NL Central-leading Milwaukee on Friday night.
To make room on Philadelphia's 40-man roster, right-hander Jackson Rutledge was designated for assignment.
Chicago had won four of six going into Thursday night's game against Atlanta. After dropping at least 101 games in each of the previous three years, the White Sox began the day on top of the AL Central with a 36-31 record.
White Sox manager Will Venable praised Hill for his contribution to the team on and off the field.
“Really just a situation where we were in a little bit of a roster crunch there,” Venable said. “It speaks to D. Hill and his performance and who he is that there was a lot of interest in him and it also speaks to where our club is at that we are able to or really needed to push a really good player off our roster.”
Chicago also activated outfielder Everson Pereira from the 10-day injured list before its series finale against Atlanta. The 25-year-old Pereira had been sidelined by a right pectoral strain.
“It took a little more time than I was expecting to, but I feel very good right now,” Pereira said through a translator. "I don’t think I have to be concerned about it throughout the season.”
Pereira was in the starting lineup against the Braves, batting fifth and playing center field. Shortstop Colson Montgomery also returned to the lineup after missing two games because of back soreness.
“He’s going to have to manage it his whole career,” Venable said of Montgomery. “With backs, it’s something he’s dealt with in the past. Something he’ll deal with in the future. I don’t think to the degree you are concerned other than the daily maintenance you have to do to keep your body functioning properly.”
Jones had a big year for Colorado in 2023, batting .297 with 20 homers, 62 RBIs and 20 steals in 106 games. But he struggled for much of the past two seasons, hitting a career-low .211 with five homers in 136 games with the Guardians in 2025.
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Chicago White Sox's Derek Hill hits a one-run single against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning in a baseball game, Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
