Buccaneers' Josh Williams suspended 6 games for violating NFL's PEDs policy

Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times on Nov 11, 2025

Published in Football

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TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Josh Williams has been suspended six games without pay for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, the league announced Tuesday.

Williams, an undrafted free agent from LSU, had been serving as Tampa Bay’s No. 3 ball carrier behind Rachaad White and Sean Tucker while Bucky Irving recovers from foot and shoulder injuries.

Williams has four rushing attempts for 11 yards in three games this season.

He will be eligible for reinstatement on Dec. 22, following the Bucs’ Week 16 game against the Carolina Panthers.

Irving, the Bucs’ No. 1 tailback who rushed for 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie last year, has been limited to only four games this season. He has 237 yards and no touchdowns on 71 carries.

With Williams suspended, the team likely will activate Owen Wright or Michael Wiley from the practice squad. Rookie defensive tackle Desmond Watson was released from the practice squad.

The Bucs have split most of the rushing duties between White (87 carries, 325 yards, 4 TDs) and Tucker (32 carries, 129 yards, 2 TDs) since Irving was injured.

Head coach Todd Bowles said Monday he was unsure if Irving would return to practice this week. Irving won’t play until he proves he can take a hit on his shoulder, Bowles said.

Williams, 24, is represented by his mother, Kimberly, an NFL-certified agent.

At LSU, he rushed for 1,494 yards and 17 touchdowns in 60 career games. He had 71 receptions for 600 yards and one score.

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