Josh Williams - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

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.

5 DAYS AGO • 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

Sits out of Friday's practice Williams (concussion) didn't practice Friday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The 24-year-old running back entered the league's concussion protocol following the Bucs' Week 6 win over the 49ers. Williams has been sidelined for Tampa Bay's first two practices of the week, and he faces an uphill battle to play in Monday's road game against Detroit.

OCTOBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Misses practice Thursday Williams (concussion) did not participate at practice Thursday.

Impact Williams remains in concussion protocol ahead of Week 7, missing the team's first practice of the week. The wide receiver will have two more chances to return to practice and potentially be cleared to play in Monday's matchup with the Lions.

OCTOBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Baker Mayfield tosses 2 touchdown passes and the Buccaneers beat the 49ers 30-19

Baker Mayfield’s heroics came early in the fourth quarter instead of the final minutes

OCTOBER 12, 2025 • Associated Press

In concussion protocol Williams (concussion) won't play Sunday against the 49ers, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Impact Williams was evaluated for a concussion and cleared to return during Tampa Bay's Week 5 win over the Seahawks, but he experienced concussion symptoms after Thursday's practice and was subsequently placed in concussion protocol. Despite the absence of Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) against Seattle, Williams' contributions were limited to kickoff returns on special teams. Williams' next chance to play will come Oct. 20 against the Lions.

OCTOBER 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Serves as kickoff returner in win Williams returned five kickoffs for 129 yards in the Buccaneers' 38-35 win over the Seahawks on Sunday.

Impact With Sean Tucker moving into the No. 2 running back role Sunday as part of the domino effect of the absence of Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder), Williams had an opportunity to move into the kickoff returner role and handled it with success. Williams even got in for two snaps on offense but didn't log any touches in what was his first game with active status this season. The undrafted LSU product remains at the bottom of the running back depth chart, but he could reprise his special-teams duties in Week 6 against the 49ers since Irving is expected to remain out for that contest.

OCTOBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

David's pick sets up winning FG as Bucs beat Seahawks 38-35 in duel between Mayfield and Darnold

Lavonte David intercepted Sam Darnold with 58 seconds left and Chase McLaughlin kicked a 39-yard field goal as time expired to give the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a thrilling 38-35 win o...

OCTOBER 5, 2025 • Associated Press

Won't play Week 2 Williams (coach's decision) is inactive for Monday's game against the Texans, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Williams will be in street clothes for a second straight week. It appears the undrafted rookie is unlikely to be active for gameday unless Bucky Irving, Rachaad White or Sean Tucker were to miss time due to injury, illness or suspension. Williams put together a nice preseason in August, finishing with 13 carries for 49 yards and two catches on as many targets for 16 yards across two games.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Won't make NFL debut vs. Atlanta Williams (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Impact Williams managed to crack the Buccaneers' 53-man roster after a strong training camp, but the undrafted rookie out of LSU will be in street clothes for Week 1 as Tampa Bay goes with a three-man backfield of Bucky Irving, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker. Williams' next chance to make his NFL regular-season debut is Week 2 against the Texans on Monday, Sept. 15.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Won't make NFL debut vs. Atlanta Williams (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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

Baker Mayfield tosses 2 touchdown passes and the Buccaneers beat the 49ers 30-19

David's pick sets up winning FG as Bucs beat Seahawks 38-35 in duel between Mayfield and Darnold