Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Josh Williams has been suspended six games for violating the NFL’s police on Performance-Enhancing Substances.
The news was broken by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Tuesday. Josh Williams will not be paid during the suspension and isn’t eligible to return until Week 17 against the Miami Dolphins.
It’s another bad break for the Buccaneers, who are missing star wide receivers Chris Godwin (fibula injury) and Mike Evans (fractured collarbone) as well as starting running back Bucky Irving (foot and shoulder injuries).
#Bucs RB Josh Williams 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 Panthers.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 11, 2025
Josh Williams signed with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent after a strong final season with the LSU Tigers. He has four carries for 11 yards and five kick returns for 129 yards, per Pro Football Reference.
The Buccaneers (6-3) fell 28-23 to the New England Patriots on Sunday and have a 1.5-game lead on the 5-5 Carolina Panthers for first in the NFC South. The two clubs play each other twice in the final three weeks.
Buccaneers’ RB Depth Will Be Tested Without Josh Williams
With Irving still sidelined and Williams suspended, the Bucs will lean more on Rachaad White and Sean Tucker. But don’t be surprised if they end up signing another veteran running back, given the lack of proven depth outside of White.
The 26-year-old White is Tampa’s leading rusher with just 325 yards and four touchdowns. Irving, who’s missed five games, is second on the team with 237 rushing yards. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is third with 158.
Tampa leaned heavily on the Tom Brady-led passing game during his three years with the Bucs, but their running game really took off since Mayfield’s arrival in 2023. Simply put, Irving cannot return soon enough, as his understudies are struggling to make any significant impact.
