Bucs running back Josh Williams has been suspended for six games by the NFL for violating the league’s performance enhancing policy, per reports. Williams will miss games against the Bills, Rams, Cardinals, Saints, Falcons and Panthers before he can be reinstated for Tampa Bay’s Week 17 game against the Dolphins.

Tampa Bay’s rookie running back was an undrafted free agent from LSU that made the team out of training camp as a fourth running back that could step in and return kicks. He was inactive for the first four games of the season and made his NFL debut in Week 5 during the Bucs’ 38-35 win over the Seahawks. Williams returned five kicks for 129 yards, but unfortunately suffered a concussion that kept him out the next two weeks.

Bucs RB Josh Williams – Photo by: USA Today

He was given his first rushing attempts in his return in Week 8 against the Saints, rushing four times for 11 yards in Tampa Bay’s win. Williams was dressed for the Bucs’ loss to the Patriots in Week 10,  but only played four special teams snaps.

Bucs RB Room Outlook

With Williams out for the next six games, it’s likely that Owen Wright gets signed to the active roster with an open spot. Wright has been on the practice squad and was elevated for the Bucs’ Week 6 win over the 49ers. Wright, who had a good preseason with Tampa Bay, got in for one offensive snap in that game. It was the last play of the game with the team in victory formation.

Wright may end up being on the active roster for a while due to the uncertainty of Bucky Irving’s return. Head coach Todd Bowles didn’t have much of an update about when Irving could be coming back, but did say it’s more of an issue with his shoulder injury than his ankle. Irving has been out since Week 4 and the Bucs have been missing his explosive plays.

Bucs RB Owen Wright – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Rachaad White and Sean Tucker have done a solid job backing up, but it’s evident that the Bucs’ offense is on another level with Irving available. It’ll be White, Tucker and Wright leading the way in the backfield for the next couple of games until Irving is able to play, but that doesn’t seem like it’s happening soon.