Nov 14, 2007 12:52 pm US/Eastern
NFL Reinstates Dolphins' Ricky Williams
Ricky Williams' suspension ended after more than 18 months when he was reinstated Wednesday by the NFL, and the winless Miami Dolphins might welcome him back.
The 2002 league rushing champion was scheduled to fly to South Florida for a physical Thursday and meet with coach Cam Cameron, said Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg.
The first-year Miami coach, whose team is 0-9, said he talked with Williams by phone for "five or six minutes" Wednesday, but hadn't made a decision about activating him.
"I want to see where he is, and also let him know where we're headed, and we'll go from there," Cameron said.
Cameron has been mum for months regarding whether he would want Williams back. But Steinberg said he was encouraged by a phone conversation Wednesday with Matt Thomas, Dolphins general counsel-football administration.
"His indication was they were interested in Ricky," Steinberg said. "The spirit of the discussion was welcoming. It was a very similar discussion to what you would have regarding a draft choice
or any returning player. The only contingent was whether they would have him practice Friday or Monday."
The return of Williams would be only part of backfield shakeup. Rookie quarterback John Beck was promoted to the first team Wednesday and will make his NFL debut Sunday at Philadelphia.
The 30-year-old Williams, who has played in only 12 games since the start of the 2004 season, was suspended in April 2006 after violating the league drug policy for the fourth time. His return
was delayed when he tested positive again for marijuana last spring.
He played in the Canadian Football League last season and applied for reinstatement Oct. 1.
Williams is eligible to attend team meetings and practice immediately, but the earliest he would be allowed to play in a game would be against Pittsburgh on Monday night, Nov. 26. The team will have a roster exemption for up to two weeks if and when he starts practicing.
As part of the NFL drug program, Williams underwent therapy for the past 51/2 months in Boston and benefited from the treatment, Steinberg said.
"This is the program working exactly as it should -- treating a player for an underlying life problem in a positive and sophisticated way, and returning him to health," Steinberg said.
Here's the copy of the NFL Statement:
"Ricky Williams was notified this morning by Commissioner Goodell that he has been reinstated as an NFL player. Williams can begin attending team meetings and practicing immediately, but will not be eligible to play in games until Week 12 when the Dolphins play at Pittsburgh (Monday night, November 26). The Dolphins will receive a roster exemption for Williams for up to two weeks when he begins practicing, starting no later than Monday."
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