Josh Williams Injury News & Updates

Williams received a six-game suspension Tuesday for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substances policy, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

The undrafted rookie out of LSU had suited up in three of the Buccaneers' first nine 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 remained sidelined. 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.

Williams rushed four times for 11 yards in the Buccaneers' 23-3 win over the Saints on Sunday.

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.

Williams has cleared concussion protocol and will be available to play Sunday against New Orleans, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

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.

Williams (concussion) was a full participant in Wednesday's walkthrough practice, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

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.

Williams (concussion) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Lions, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

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.

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

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.

Williams (concussion) did not participate at practice Thursday.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Williams (coach's decision) is inactive for Monday's game against the Texans, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

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.

Williams (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

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.

Williams rushed eight times for 28 yards and brought in his only target for three yards in the Buccaneers' 23-19 preseason loss to the Bills on Saturday night. He also returned three kickoffs for 108 yards.

Williams put forth a solid case in his final bid for a spot on the 53-man roster, particularly with his work as a returner. The LSU product's ability to contribute on special teams could certainly give him some leverage in the coaching staff's eyes, but come the regular season, Williams will find touches from scrimmage hard to come by as long as the top trio of Bucky Irving, Rachaad White (groin) and Sean Tucker is healthy.

Williams rushed five times for 21 yards and brought in his only target for 13 yards in the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason loss to the Steelers on Saturday night.

The undrafted rookie had missed the preseason opener against the Titans due to a hamstring strain, but his return to practice Monday had foreshadowed his availability for Saturday's contest. James was the third running back to log a touch for the Buccaneers behind Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker, logging his first carry with 6:20 remaining in the second quarter and gained 16 of his yards on his first pair of totes. James shared time with Tucker on the drive and played with both Kyle Trask and Connor Bazelak as his quarterbacks, but he's clearly no better than No. 4 on the depth chart and is battling Owen Wright and Jace McClellan for a roster spot.

Williams (hamstring) participated in Monday's training camp practice, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Williams has been sidelined for much of the last two weeks due to a hamstring strain, which caused him to miss Saturday's preseason game against the Titans. He's recovered enough to return to practice, and the undrafted rookie will resume his battle against Sean Tucker and Owen Wright for the RB3 job behind Bucky Irving and Rachaad White (groin).

Williams did not play in Saturday's 29-7 preseason win over the Titans due to a hamstring strain, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

The undrafted rookie is battling Owen Wright for the No. 4 running back spot, and while he'd impressed early in camp before the injury, Williams missed a golden opportunity to make his case for a roster spot Saturday. The Buccaneers were able to take a run-heavy approach in the second half and Rachaad White also exited the game in the first quarter with a groin injury, so Sean Tucker and Wright finished with a combined 35 carries. Some of that workload would have gone to Williams had he been available, and his next chance to get into game action will come in Saturday night's second exhibition on the road against the Steelers.

Tampa Bay signed Williams as an undrafted free agent Friday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Like his father Jermaine did in 1997, Williams will begin his pro football career as an undrafted free agent in Tampa Bay. He spent five seasons at LSU, accumulating 1,494 rushing yards, 600 receiving yards and 18 total touchdowns. Now he figures to compete for Tampa's third slot on the depth chart at running back with the likes of Sean Tucker and D.J. Williams.