‘He’s got some catching up to do’ – Impressive Buccaneers rookie is healthy and ready to turn heads once again
The Buccaneers are ready to see one of their more-impressive rookies in action.
It’s already hard enough for undrafted rookies to make an NFL team on their own accord – so it’s easy to see why it’s even harder when they’re in a crowded position group.
That’s the exact case with UDFA running back Josh Williams and the stable of Tampa Bay Buccaneers running backs. Tampa Bay already has one of the NFL’s best running back trios in Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker, so Williams has to really stand out if he wants a shot at winning the RB4 job and making the 53-man roster.
Williams was doing that early-on in camp before an injury sidelined him for the last several practices. Since then, he’s watched the aforementioned trio do their thing and then he had to watch newly-signed Owen Wright lead the team with 87 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries against the Tennessee Titans.
The uphill climb got even harder that night, but fortunately for Williams, he’s back practicing with the Bucs on Monday and is on track to participate in both Thursday’s joint practice and Saturday’s preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It’s a big step in the right direction for Williams. Now, it’s about picking up where he left off.
“It’s important for him to get out there. We have to see him,” Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles told reporters after Monday’s training camp practice. “It’ll be great to see him under the lights. He’s missed some time right now, so he’s got some catching up to do. He’s a guy we were high on coming in, so he’s a guy we’re interested in seeing Saturday night.”
Williams has very good vision, burst, and he’s very elusive (sound familiar?), which vibes well with how the Bucs deploy their rushing attack. Not only is this a solid step in the right direction for him, the Buccaneers simply need healthy RBs, right now. Rachaad White missed Monday’s practice after injuring his groin against the Titans and is considered day-to-day. The aforementioned Wright also missed practice – Bowles said soreness was the reason and they’d see how he feels later in the week.
Therefore, the Bucs currently have just three healthy running backs in Irving, Tucker, and Williams. If he didn’t return Monday, they would have had only two.
As Bowles mentioned, it’s crucial for Williams to get back on track this week, especially if Wright ends up ready to go by the time Thursday’s joint practice rolls around. Hitting the ground running (no pun intended) is key this week and he’ll have every opportunity to do so.
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