Juice On Display From Josh Williams
August 15th, 2026
Touchdown maker.
Joe loves the Bucs’ running backs depth.
That’s why Joe was so irked the Bucs were risking No. 3 RB Sean Tucker on the turf field last night against the Jets. Tucker didn’t need four carries and two targets. Risky!
No. 4 running back Josh Williams is another story. He needs the work — because he has no body of work.
The 2025 undrafted rookie flashed in preseason last year, didn’t play much in the regular season (four carries) and then was suspended for six games in midseason for using performance enhancing drugs. On Tuesday, the former LSU standout busted a long run — 40-plus yards — against the Jets in a full-contact joint practice. Joe witnessed it and talked to Williams after practice.
The 25-year-old is very focused. He appreciates the opportunity the Bucs have given him and he remembers how Baker Mayfield spoke about him publicly last summer.
Last night, Williams was flashing again. This time it was a touchdown run showcasing patience, vision and quick feet.
Joe wouldn’t cry too much of the Bucs had to rely on Williams a little this season.
1️⃣8️⃣ punches it in for 6️⃣
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August 15th, 2026 at 10:51 am
Williams played like an upgrade at RB3 last night. Did everyone notice how effortless his change of direction was? He played decisively when he saw daylight and that’s encouraging.
The Bucs have a good problem at RB3 this preseason. If Williams can do the same thing a couple more times Tucker won’t be the obvious choice as backup on game day. It’d be ideal if there was at least one bruising back on the roster, but at least there appear to be options if either Bucky or Gainwell goes down with an injury.
August 15th, 2026 at 10:56 am
Can’t keep 4 RBs. Instead of Bucky & Gainwell playing next week, Tucker & Williams should split reps with the ones this way they can can be evaluated equally
August 15th, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joe – Be careful. Be very, very careful. You almost admitted this pre-season game was of value. At least to Williams. And maybe even to a certain undrafted free agent QB named Jalen?
August 15th, 2026 at 11:08 am
A lot of these times some of these running backs just need an opportunity even when they’re undrafted. Some of these guys come out of nowhere and end up being studs for 10 years.
August 15th, 2026 at 11:10 am
JustOneGame Says:
Can’t keep 4 RBs.
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They may keep four RBs to start the season unless injuries at CB or elsewhere force them to go with three. Nothing is set in stone.
August 15th, 2026 at 11:17 am
He ran well but we need a BIG back. We need Alstott, Blount, Etc. need a big guy.
August 15th, 2026 at 11:22 am
I don’t know. Maybe they wanted Tucker to play a few snaps because he struggles with the playbook. Those that know, know that he certainly isn’t great at picking up blocking assignments. I trust Joe to deliver information and yes, opinions. But second guessing how many carries a third string rb should get in one of three preseason games. I’m going to trust the coaches to make those decisions.
August 15th, 2026 at 11:23 am
Of course pre season games have value….Joe is simply yanking chain here….only a fool would think they are worthless & Joe is no fool.
August 15th, 2026 at 11:24 am
Of course pre season games have value….Joe is simply yanking chain here….only a fool would think they are worthless & Joe is no fool.
August 15th, 2026 at 11:32 am
Can he block and catch? If yes to either one then he is an improvement over Tucker. If yes to both then Tucker is no longer 3rd string. I do think we need a big as mentioned by Colin.
August 15th, 2026 at 11:37 am
Kinda wasn’t surprised at all to see Tucker in the game. Guy is kinda a ghost, except for one game a season where he goes off.
The guy just isn’t twitchy enough it seems. I get we paid him, but would like to see Williams push him out of the RB3 role
August 15th, 2026 at 11:41 am
Williams actually has some cutback ability and can read his blockers, unlike Sean Tucker.
August 15th, 2026 at 11:56 am
AquaBum Says:
Kinda wasn’t surprised at all to see Tucker in the game. Guy is kinda a ghost, except for one game a season where he goes off.
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Like the rest of the Bucs offense he ended 2025 with a thud. 33 carries for 85 yards over his last 7 games. That’s not what they want from an RB3 and I’m not surprised to see him out there either.
August 15th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
The kid showed some moves!
August 15th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
Bucky, Vea, morrison for a stud corner or T E and a 3rd
August 15th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
Let’s not get this twisted, with Tucker on the roster he is RB#3, however if someone goes down Williams looks like he could pick up the slack and make plays. Not sure what the Bucs do at the end of the year. I can’t imagine the Bucs would be able to slip him through waivers and get him on the practice squad. Another team would probably snatch him up. Let’s see how preseason shakes out, sometimes these things take care of themselves.
August 15th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
That double move to get into the endzone that froze the defender was disgusting. Williams looked good toting the right pill…
August 15th, 2026 at 1:27 pm
That was a very pretty run. He’s super shifty.
August 15th, 2026 at 1:33 pm
No team rest their 3rd string RB. Come on Joey. Tucker can get hurt in practice as easily as getting a few carriers in a preseason scrimmage.
Your issue with the 3rd string RB getting a few carries is crazy talk.
August 15th, 2026 at 1:37 pm
Backup OTs are more important than 3rd string RBs. Back up CBs on this team are much more important than 3rd string RBs. You cant put all these guys in bubble wrap. Truth is more injuries occur during training camp practices than the games.
August 15th, 2026 at 2:19 pm
Keep 4. As long as the last guy can play special teams.
August 15th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
We have one of the deepest RB rooms in the league. Bucky, however is extremely fragile both physically and mentally. That being said he’s still our most talented back. Hopefully the new OC uses him correctly (no more than 15 touches per game).
August 15th, 2026 at 4:43 pm
The Bucs are stacked and Bowles is ready to show his genius to everyone who doubted him. Huge win last night, more on the way. There is no one he can’t beat.
August 15th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
As I predicted,
Chukwuma is cross training at RT.
I called it.
Once again.
August 15th, 2026 at 6:20 pm
That lil buss down move he put on the last defender before crossing the goal line was a chefs kiss.
August 15th, 2026 at 7:39 pm
All 4 are solid.
August 16th, 2026 at 2:08 am
That one lineman thought he had a tackle but Williams shifted so quickly and left him and the guy our front grabbing air. I heard people talk about him last year but to see him last night reading his blocks and attacking was something else. Hope he can do more than run