The undrafted free agent out of LSU makes a case on offense and special teams to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
Bucs running back Josh Williams tries to elude Bills cornerback Dane Jackson during Saturday's preseason game at Raymond James Stadium. Williams rushed for 28 yards on eight attempts.
Bucs running back Josh Williams tries to elude Bills cornerback Dane Jackson during Saturday's preseason game at Raymond James Stadium. Williams rushed for 28 yards on eight attempts.
TAMPA — At a time when some NFL dreams are being delivered and others dashed, Josh Williams turned heads at the right time in the Bucs’ preseason finale against the Bills Saturday night.
The biggest endorsement came from head coach Todd Bowles, who singled out the undrafted former LSU running back as the Bucs began cutting down their roster to 53 players.
Williams rushed for 28 yards on eight attempts but excelled in the return game, including a 42-yard kickoff return.
“It wasn’t just special teams,” Bowles said Sunday. “He’s a good running back as well. He can catch. He’s a heck of a pass protector. We know he can run the ball, as we saw on special teams, but he also made some tackles. A lot of that goes into the evaluation when you can do multiple things.”
The Bucs have only three running backs that are locks to make the club: Bucky Irving, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker. Williams’ chances got a boost with his outstanding preseason, but injuries at other positions may determine whether the team can keep four running backs.
Tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) and receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) were added to the 53-man roster from the physically unable to perform list last week but won’t be ready for maybe a month.
“(It) all depends on the other positions, whether it’s the last wideout, the last safety, the last defensive lineman, the last offensive lineman,” Bowles said. “There’s a lot of things we’ve got to sort out that way before we make that decision.”
![Josh Williams returns a kickoff Saturday against the Bills. He averaged 36 yards on three returns, including a long of 42 yards.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 413"/%3E)
Josh Williams returns a kickoff Saturday against the Bills. He averaged 36 yards on three returns, including a long of 42 yards.
Williams was a long shot to make the club when training camp began. But then, this is the path he’s always taken.
He walked on at LSU and spent five seasons there, playing in 60 games. But he never ascended to the role of a starter. He rushed for 1,494 yards on 314 carries in 60 games for the Tigers, never eclipsing 600 rushing yards in a season or 10 attempts per game.
Even so, Williams said, playing for a blue blood program made him NFL-ready.
“I talk about LSU every day here in the locker room,” he said. “I wear the shoe gear every other day and they make fun of me all the time, but I’m through and through an LSU Tiger. I think LSU prepares you a lot for the NFL.”
Williams may have gotten a break and earned more playing time when White suffered a groin injury in the preseason opener against the Titans.
At 5-feet-9, 210 pounds, Williams runs with surprising power and agility. Not only did he return kicks, he covered them as well.
Following Saturday’s game, he said he was just thankful the Bucs gave him an opportunity to show what he could do in the NFL.
“I just wanted to show them the player that they know I am,” Williams said. “They really took a shot on me, bringing me in here from LSU as an undrafted guy. ... They knew they could bring any other guy in. I just wanted to show them that they didn’t waste a pick on who I am and what I could do for the team.”
![Josh Williams tries to maneuver past Bills safety Tre Herndon during Saturday's game. “I just wanted to show the (Bucs) the player that they know I am,” Williams said.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 413"/%3E)
Josh Williams tries to maneuver past Bills safety Tre Herndon during Saturday's game. “I just wanted to show the (Bucs) the player that they know I am,” Williams said.
His parents attended last week’s game at Pittsburgh and Saturday’s game at Raymond James Stadium.
“It’s amazing,” Williams said. “My first game in Pittsburgh, they flew out to watch that game. Just to actually have them come watch my first home game. ... I know they are going to be proud and happy.”
The Bucs have some tough decisions to make before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline to trim the roster to 53 players.
In addition to Williams, two other undrafted free agents made a good case to stick with the club. Former Iowa linebacker Nick Jackson led the team in tackles in the preseason while also recording two sacks and an interception. Nebraska’s John Bullock played well and had three special teams tackles Saturday.
“Both came in, and they worked well off each other,” Bowles said. “Both are very bright. Jackson is probably instinctive that way and understands where the ball is going and knows how to shoot the gaps when he has to. Bullock is a very tough, smart player. He had a heck of a night on special teams (Saturday). ... He plays very physical football, but both of them made compelling cases.”
Williams entered the weekend hoping to make one final argument to remain with the team. At this point, it’s a numbers game. He was sidelined by a hamstring strain and did not play in the preseason opener against the Titans. He rushed five times for 21 yards and caught a pass for 13 yards against Pittsburgh.
Should Williams be released and clear waivers, he’ll be invited to sign with the practice squad. But the way he played Saturday, it may not come down to that.
“I have no expectations,” he said. ”Being in the position I’m in, I’m just grateful to be in the organization at the end of the day. Whatever happens, happens. I’m just happy to be here.”
Safeties coach expected back
Bowles said safeties coach Nick Rapone, who missed Saturday’s game after a “heart scare,” was expected to return to work this week.
“He’s doing a lot better,” Bowles said. “He should be in this week. He should be in (Sunday), actually, and he should be in (Monday). ... I’m not a doctor, but as long as he’s feeling well I’d expect it to be the same all year.”
Up next
SEASON OPENER
at Falcons, 1 p.m. Sept. 7 TV/radio: Fox; 97.9-FM
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