Buccaneers release DT Desmond Watson from their practice squad
The Buccaneers have parted ways with defensive tackle Desmond Watson for the second time this year.
According to multiple reports, the Bucs have released Watson from their practice squad. Watson, who joined the team as an undrafted free agent, was cut at the end of the preseason, but returned to the practice squad in September.
Watson weighed 464 pounds at Florida's pro day earlier this year and he was on the non-football injury list while trying to lose weight this summer. Watson said he had lost weight upon returning to the team, but declined to share an exact number.
Watson was not elevated to the active roster at any point since returning to Tampa. He could make another return to the Bucs' practice squad or active roster in the future.
Mike Tomlin has 'no long-term reservations' about Aaron Rodgers while AFC North rivals closing in on Steelers
The Baltimore Ravens have won three straight games, including two in a row since two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson came back from a hamstring injury. The Cincinnati Bengals designated their franchise quarterback, JJoe Burrow, to return from injured reserve, with a Thanksgiving appearance against the Ravens not out of the realm of possibility.
"Our division is wide open," Burrow, a two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year, told reporters Monday, noting how rare that is for the AFC North at this point of the season.
It's up for grabs because the Pittsburgh Steelers haven't protected what was once a 2.5-game lead. Since their 4-1 start, they've lost three of their past four games.
Rodgers was sacked three times, once for a safety, and logged a mere 161 yards passing on 31 attempts while tossing two picks, although one bounced off the hands of wide receiver Calvin Austin III, and a garbage-time touchdown. Consistently throwing high, Rodgers hit on just 51.6% of his passes against the Chargers. That's his lowest completion percentage in a game in which he's thrown at least two passes since the 2020 season. Granted, Rodgers won his third of four NFL MVPs that year, however, he was still pulling the ripcord more than he has been in the final chapter of his career.
Rodgers' 6.8 yards per pass attempt this season rank him only 23rd in the NFL in that category, and he's 24th in the league in pass EPA, according to Next Gen Stats.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that he's not simply chalking up Rodgers' performance versus the Chargers as an "off night." He's not diagnosing "long-term concerns," either.
"Sunday night was what it was,” Tomlin said. “But I have no long-term reservations about his ability to play the position and play the position at a high level for us."
Rodgers has turned back the clock at times this season. He threw four touchdowns in a redemptive, season-opening win over the New York Jets. He completed 81.8% of his passes to the tune of victory in Ireland against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4. And he went back and forth with fellow 40-something Joe Flacco on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 7, albeit in a 33-31 loss to the Bengals.
Rodgers held himself accountable Sunday after his head-scratching outing at SoFi Stadium, where the Steelers were a combined 2 of 12 on third and fourth down.
"A lot of stuff wasn't working," Rodgers said postgame, via ESPN. "We were bad on third down. I was just a little bit off. ... I missed, obviously, some throws, for sure. And then we weren't getting guys open and just [couldn't] put it all together times the guys were open.
"I missed some throws I usually make."
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 09: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Ronald Martinez via Getty Images
Rodgers finished with a 50.6 passer rating. He's had nine games in his 21-season career with a passer rating south of 51. His teams have lost all but one of those contests.
By patiently waiting for Rodgers this offseason, Tomlin and the Steelers handcuffed themselves to a future Pro Football Hall of Famer who ultimately decided to he had more football in him.
In doing so, though, the Steelers signed up for getting the good, the bad and the ugly — as well as the enigmatic — from a veteran Rodgers, two seasons removed from his season-ending Achilles tear.
The ugly was on full display Sunday.
Rodgers' backup is Mason Rudolph, who didn't run away with the starting job when given the spotlight earlier in his career. Rookie Will Howard, the Steelers' sixth-round pick, is still making his way back to the field from a hand injury he suffered in training camp that cost him valuable preseason action.
Tomlin is standing by Rodgers, and Pittsburgh will need a lot more of the good from him going forward, especially to buoy its takeaway-dependent and injury-riddled defense that mostly hasn't lived up to expectations after entering the season with the highest-paid defensive roster in the league.
The Steelers have a chance to avenge their defeat to the Bengals in Week 11, and Rodgers has a chance to put his clunker in the rear view mirror.
They have to, with their AFC North rivals closing in on the division lead.
Nate Tice & Matt Harmon determine the fatal flaws of six playoff contenders to determine what could sink their Super Bowl dreams. First, the duo start off with their reactions to the Philadelphia Eagles winning a rock fight against the Green Bay Packers on Monday night (including where Devonta Smith ranks among NFL receivers). Plus, Nate & Matt give their reactions to Brian Daboll getting fired, including their take on what's next for the New York Giants.
Later, the two hosts each reveal three potential fatal flaws for 6 total playoff teams that could end their Super Bowl runs early. Nate dives into the Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions and New England Patriots, while Matt uncovers the red flags for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts.
(1:50) - Eagles beat Packers on MNF
(16:55) - Giants fire Brian Daboll
(29:10) - Buccaneers' fatal flaw
(38:00) - Broncos' fatal flaw
(49:15) - Bills' fatal flaw
(57:40) - Lions' fatal flaw
(1:08:05) - Colts' fatal flaw
(1:17:20) - Patriots' fatal flaw
DENVER , CO - NOVEMBER 6: Bo Nix (10) of the Denver Broncos walks to the bench during the third quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium on Thursday, November 6, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)