Josh Williams - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Joins up with Tamp Bay's practice squad The Buccaneers signed Williams to the practice squad Monday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Impact The Buccaneers waived Williams during Sunday's cutdown day. The running back cleared waivers and joined the practice squad, where he resided for much of the 2025 season. Williams played in three games for the Buccaneers during the 2025 regular season, rushing four times for 11 yards while accumulating 129 kick return yards.

SEPTEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Let go by Tampa Bay The Buccaneers waived Williams on Sunday, Jenna Laine of ESPN reports.

Impact Williams first joined Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent last season and spent time on both its active roster and practice squad during the 2025 campaign before signing a reserve/future contract with the team in January. The 25-year-old could be a candidate to land on the Buccaneers' practice squad once again should he clear waivers.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Buccaneers suddenly have a position battle nobody saw coming The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could have an RB3 battle on their hands as Josh Williams is being given a chance to overtake Sean Tucker.

AUGUST 23 • THEPEWTERPLANK.COM

Bucs' Rookies Shine in Preseason Win Over the Jets QB Jalon Daniels and CB Ayden Garnes, both undrafted rookies, turned in big plays and first-year RB Josh Williams scored on a 12-yard run as...

AUGUST 15 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Rookie Cade Klubnik leads 2 scoring drives after Geno Smith is scratched in Jets' 24-16 loss to Bucs

Rookie Cade Klubnik led the New York Jets to scores on his two drives in a 24-16 preseason loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AUGUST 15 • Associated Press

Josh Williams Rushes for TD | Bucs vs. Jets Highlights RB Josh Williams scores a touchdown against the New York Jets in Preseason Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.

AUGUST 15 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski praises Penix, says he has 'ton of respect' for new rival Mayfield

Kevin Stefanski praised his new quarterback and fended off an old one during his introductory news conference as the Atlanta Falcons’ coach

JANUARY 27 • Associated Press

Kevin Stefanski just flipped Falcons' GM search upside down with surprise interview The Atlanta Falcons are branching out from Ian Cunningham or Josh Williams in their GM search with a request to Steelers' AGM Andy Weidl.

JANUARY 21 • BLOGGINGDIRTY.COM

Some new frontrunners may have just emerged in Falcons' search for a new regime The Atlanta Falcons could be knocking on the door of their new regime with Josh Williams and Klint Kubiak, but nothing is confirmed yet.

JANUARY 16 • BLOGGINGDIRTY.COM

Staying in Tampa Bay The Buccaneers signed Williams to a reserve/future contract Monday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Impact The undrafted free agent out of LSU earned a spot on the Buccaneers' 53-man roster after a strong training camp. His rookie season was a bit tumultuous, as he missed time while in the league's concussion protocol before being served a six-game suspension by the NFL in mid-November for violating the league's performance-enhancing substances policy. He was waived by the Bucs on Dec. 29 before being signed to the practice squad one day later, and he'll stick around with Tampa Bay during offseason activities with the aim of cracking the team's active roster for a second-straight year.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Back with Bucs on practice squad The Buccaneers signed Williams to the practice squad Tuesday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Impact Williams was waived from the Buccaneers' active roster Monday, but he will remain in Tampa Bay as a member of the team's practice squad. He last saw regular-season action in Week 10 against the Patriots and has logged four carries for 11 yards and five kickoff returns for 129 yards across three games.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Let go by Tampa Bay The Buccaneers waived Williams on Monday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Impact Williams served a six-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing substances policy. His suspension was lifted Dec. 22, and rather than cut another player on the 53-man roster to make room for Williams, the Buccaneers have opted to let go of the LSU product. If he goes unclaimed off waivers, Williams will look to sign with a team in need of backfield depth and a returner on special teams.

DECEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Deadspin | Suspension lifted for Bucs rookie RB Josh Williams Deadspin | Suspension lifted for Bucs rookie RB Josh Williams

DECEMBER 23, 2025 • DEADSPIN.COM

Suspension lifted The NFL lifted Williams' six-game suspension Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Williams has served his six-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substances policy. He'll be available for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, though he's unlikely to be part of the Buccaneers' backfield rotation that consists of Bucky Irving, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker. Williams did turn five kickoffs for 129 yards in Week 5 against the Seahawks, and that could be his role for Sunday's road tilt.

DECEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Buccaneers release 400-plus-pound defensive tackle Desmond Watson from practice squad

Four-hundred-plus pound defensive tackle Desmond Watson was released from Tampa Bay’s practice squad Wednesday

NOVEMBER 13, 2025 • Associated Press

Bucs Add OLB Benton Whitley to Practice Squad Among Trio of Moves The Buccaneers signed OLB Benton Whitley to the practice squad Wednesday, creating a spot with the release of DL Desmond Watson…In addition,...

NOVEMBER 12, 2025 • BUCCANEERS.COM

NFL hands Bucs rookie Josh Williams major suspension for PES policy violation The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are sitting at 6-3 and maintaining control of the NFC South. However, they're now facing an unexpected setback ahea...

NOVEMBER 12, 2025 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Buccaneers rookie RB Josh Williams suspended 6 games for PEDs Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Josh Williams has been suspended six games for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substances policy...

NOVEMBER 12, 2025 • THESTATE.COM

Buccaneers' Josh Williams suspended 6 games for violating NFL's PEDs policy TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Josh Williams has been suspended six games wi...

NOVEMBER 12, 2025 • THENEWSTRIBUNE.COM

Dealt six-game ban Williams received a six-game suspension Tuesday for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substances policy, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Impact The undrafted rookie out of LSU had suited up in three of the Buccaneers' first 10 games this season, carrying four times for 11 yards. Williams has received most of his playing time on special teams, though he had been active as the team's No. 3 running back behind Rachaad White and Sean Tucker over the previous two games while Bucky Irving (shoulder/foot) has been inactive. With Irving not expected to return to action Week 11 at Buffalo, expect the Buccaneers to elevate one of Owen Wright or Michael Wiley to serve as their No. 3 back in Williams' absence.

NOVEMBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Career-high four carries in win Williams rushed four times for 11 yards in the Buccaneers' 23-3 win over the Saints on Sunday.

Impact The undrafted rookie logged a career-high six snaps on offense behind Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, and he recorded the first four carries of his career in the process. The fact the Saints never threatened and the Buccaneers were in firm control of the game throughout the second half facilitated Williams' opportunity, but if Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) is able to finally get healthy over Tampa Bay's Week 9 bye, Williams could be relegated to just special-teams duty or inactive status in a Week 10 home matchup against the Patriots.

OCTOBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play Week 8 Williams has cleared concussion protocol and will be available to play Sunday against New Orleans, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Williams has appeared in just one game this season, logging six snaps on special teams and two on offense. He's yet to touch the ball outside of five kick returns.

OCTOBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Full participant in walkthrough Williams (concussion) was a full participant in Wednesday's walkthrough practice, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Williams was unable to play against the Lions on Monday while in the league's concussion protocol. His full participation in Wednesday's walkthrough is a step in the right direction for the 24-year-old running back, but he'll have to be cleared by an independent neurologist in order to be available for Sunday's road game against the Saints.

OCTOBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play against Detroit Williams (concussion) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Lions, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Impact Williams will remain in the league's concussion protocol, which will cause him to miss Monday night's road game. With Williams and Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) both ruled out, Rachaad White will lead the Buccaneers backfield while Sean Tucker serves as the backup running back and a return specialist. Williams' next opportunity to play is Week 8 against the Saints on Sunday, Oct. 26.

OCTOBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play against Detroit Williams (concussion) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Lions, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Impact Williams will remain in the league's concussion protocol, which will cause him to miss Monday night's road game. With Williams and Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) both ruled out, Rachaad White will lead the Buccaneers backfield while Sean Tucker serves as the backup while handling return duties on kickoffs. Williams' next opportunity to play is Week 8 against the Saints on Sunday, Oct. 26.

OCTOBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Rookie Cade Klubnik leads 2 scoring drives after Geno Smith is scratched in Jets' 24-16 loss to Bucs

Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski praises Penix, says he has 'ton of respect' for new rival Mayfield

Buccaneers release 400-plus-pound defensive tackle Desmond Watson from practice squad