Ricky Williams Reinstated by NFL after 18 month Suspension
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Ricky Williams may finally see an NFL field again. Whether or not it is with the Miami Dolphins is up to Head Coach Cam Cameron.
The NFL reinstated Ricky Williams into the league today, ending an eighteen month suspension for two failed drug tests. The running back applied for reinstatement on October 1, which gave the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell 45 days to make a decision.
Leigh Steinberg, Williams’ agent, said that Williams is 230 pounds and in football shape.
"Ricky is in great spirits emotionally and physically healthy and is ready to go," Steinberg said last week.
"The goal of the [league's substance abuse program] is rehabilitative. It would be a great example of the program working as it's supposed to do by returning healthy players to the field."
The Miami Dolphins and Cam Cameron would not comment on the situation until the Head Coach has actually talked to Williams. Cameron said he would like to get to know the running back before commenting. As of right now, Williams is on the Dolphins roster, and the team will have a two week roster exemption during which they will have to make a decision on whether or not to keep him.
Although Williams has now been reinstated into the NFL and is allowed to take part in team meetings and practices, he is not cleared to play until the Miami Dolphins play at Pittsburgh on Monday night, November 26.
Keeping Williams on the active roster for the remainder of the season would make sense if Cameron and the Dolphins wanted to improve his trade value in order to actually get something in return for him. The Dolphins could waive Williams immediately and not get anything.
The fact that starting running back Ronnie Brown is out for the season opens an opportunity for Williams to return. However, Jesse Chatman, in filling in for Brown, has averaged 5.4 yards per carry and is coming off a career high 124 yards against the Buffalo Bills last week.
Ricky Williams led the NFL in rushing in 2002 with 1,853 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also was named Pro Bowl MVP that same year.
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