Overview

• With the Aug. 26 cutdown two days away, Pro Football Talk outlines Tampa Bay’s choices for Watson: keep him on the 53, move him to reserve NFI, or release him.
• Watson has been on the non-football injury/illness list since camp opened and did not practice or appear in any of the Buccaneers’ three preseason games.
• GM Jason Licht set conditioning “milestones” for clearance, and reporting indicates those targets have not yet been met.
• An NFI designation does not require a team to pay a player, prompting questions about whether weight management qualifies as an injury or illness in this case.
• Head coach Todd Bowles has expressed patience and sees potential if progress continues, citing eye-catching Florida Pro Day numbers at a listed 464 pounds including 36 bench reps and a sub-6.0-second 40-yard dash.