When it rains, it pours and that's what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are dealing with as they try to pick up the pieces after a Week 10 loss.
The Bucs learned this week that the team will be without rookie running back Josh Williams for the next six games after the backup running back was suspended for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy, per Fox Sports' Greg Auman.
It's a bummer both in that the Bucs are down a player but that Williams felt on the cusp of potentially turning into a nice story this season.
In only two preseason games, Williams rushed for 49 yards and added 16 receiving yards. Where he really shined was on special teams, where he returned three kicks for 108 yards, averaging an impressive 36 yards per return.
As Bucky Irving has been sidelined with his shoulder injury, Williams has been elevated to the active roster as the No. 3 running back behind Rachaad White and Sean Tucker. While Williams hasn’t seen much action out of the backfield, logging only four carries for 11 yards, he has gotten more reps on special teams.
Now that his six-game suspension will have him sidelined through Week 16, Williams likely lost his opportunity to stick around on the Bucs’ roster. The team has two running backs on the practice squad, Owen Wright and Michael Wiley, and one of them will likely take Williams’ place going forward.
The development is disappointing for Williams, who had a very promising preseason. The team was encouraged enough to keep him on the initial 53-man roster as the No. 4 running back as an undrafted free agent.
The best ability is availability, and missing these next six games will allow someone else to step up in his place and try to make a strong impression on the organization.
Perhaps the front office, who clearly believe in Williams, will give him another chance, but he isn’t a proven enough player or crucial enough asset to the team where he can expect his roster spot to be waiting for him after he returns from suspension.