The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are sitting at 6-3 and maintaining control of the NFC South. However, they’re now facing an unexpected setback ahead of an important two-week stretch.
With matchups against the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams on the horizon, the Bucs will have to navigate this crucial period without rookie running back Josh Williams.
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The NFL announced on Tuesday that Williams has been suspended for violating the league’s Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy. He won’t be eligible to return until Week 17 when Tampa Bay travels to face the Miami Dolphins.
“Josh Williams of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is suspended six games without pay for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported.
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Josh Williams of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is suspended six games without pay for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy.
Williams will be eligible for reinstatement on Tuesday, December 22, following the Buccaneers’ Week 16 game against the Carolina…
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 11, 2025
Williams has primarily contributed on special teams this season, but he had worked his way into the No. 3 running back position behind Rachaad White and Sean Tucker over the past two games. That opportunity came while Bucky Irving dealt with shoulder and foot issues that kept him sidelined.
With Irving still unavailable for Sunday’s matchup in Buffalo, Tampa Bay will likely promote either Owen Wright or Michael Wiley to fill the void left by Williams.
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At five-foot-nine and 210 pounds, Williams has always taken the difficult path. After going undrafted out of LSU in 2025, he earned his spot with the Buccaneers as a free agent.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Josh Williams (18) runs for a gain during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
It’s a familiar story for someone who walked on at LSU before eventually accumulating 2,094 total yards and 18 touchdowns for the Tigers.
This season he’s appeared in three games for the 6-3 Bucs, including Sunday’s 28-23 loss to New England, logging four carries for 11 yards while adding five kickoff returns for 129 yards.
For a team working to maintain their division lead, losing depth at running back isn’t what they needed right now.
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