RICKY WILLAMS RETURNS TO THE NFL ... BUT THEN LEAVES AGAIN!

Ricky Williams' Latest Comeback: A Whopping One Game

The Miami Dolphins running back will miss the rest of the season with a torn chest muscle, according to his agent, Leigh Steinberg. Williams was hurt Monday at Pittsburgh, when he played in his first game in nearly two years. He returned following a 1 1/2-year suspension for his latest violation of the NFL drug policy.

Steinberg said the arm will be in a sling from four to six weeks and the rehab will take five months.

But Steinberg said Williams expects to be ready for next season. "It's sad given how hopeful Ricky had been about his return to football and given the amount of effort Ricky had put into his rehabilitation. But he's optimistic and hopeful for the future."

With a winless record, the Dolphins were desperate for help and eager to showcase Williams in hopes of increasing his trade value. Coach Cam Cameron decided to play Williams only a week after he joined practice.

"My No. 1 concern coming into the game, when you hurry a guy back, obviously he could get hurt," Cameron said after the game.

The team was off Tuesday, and a spokesman for the Dolphins said they had no comment on Williams' status. Miami is 0-11 and plays the New York Jets on Sunday.

Williams was injured in the second quarter Monday on a play when he fumbled. After being tackled, he was accidentally stepped on while chest-down on the ground.

Williams left the game, returned briefly and departed for good after one more carry. He finished with 15 yards in six carries, and the Dolphins lost 3-0 on a last-minute field goal.

Miami running back Jesse Chatman sat out the second half with a neck injury, and his availability for the Jets game is in doubt. The Dolphins' other running backs are Patrick Cobbs and rookie Lorenzo Booker.

The Dolphins lost starter Ronnie Brown for the season to a knee injury last month.

Williams, the 2002 NFL rushing champion, has played in only 13 games since retiring in the summer of 2004. He has tested positive for marijuana at least four times since the Dolphins acquired him in 2002, and their franchise-record playoff drought began that same year.

Williams hasn't missed an NFL game because of an injury since 2000 when he was with the New Orleans Saints.

Now That Dolphins Black Running Back Ricky Williams Has Battled His Drug Demons, NFL Decides To Give Him One More Shot

Baller Missed 2006, 2007 Seasons Missed of Drug Addiction

Dolphins running back Ricky Williams has played in only 12 NFL games since the start of the 2004 season. Now that he's trying to stay clean and sober, that's about to change.

The African American Miami NFL star has been reinstated, ESPN reported Wednesday. Williams has played in only 12 NFL games since the start of the 2004 season, but rushed for 3,225 yards in 2002-03. His current suspension began in April 2006 after he violated the league’s drug policy for the fourth time. He tested positive for marijuana this April, again delaying his return.

Under the league’s substance abuse program, when a player applies for reinstatement the doctors have up to 45 days to submit their report and recommendation to the commissioner. He then has up to 15 days to make a decision. That means the process could take up to 60 days from the day Williams applies to be reinstated.

Williams remains under contract with Miami, where he won the NFL rushing title in 2002. But new coach Cam Cameron has not indicated whether he wants Williams to stay with the Dolphins, who are 0-8. Williams spent an extended vacation in Australia and India during a yearlong retirement in 2004. He played in the Canadian Football League in 2006. “He hasn’t taken the wear and tear on his body in the last couple years,” agent Leigh Steinberg said. “He’s a physical specimen and he’s got the potential to be among the league leaders in rushing. Aside from one unfortunate season, he’s never missed a day of training camp.”

More importantly, however, is how this Black man deals with that addict that desperately wants to come out and play. Too many of these athletes are dealing with self-esteeem issues, depression, ego, and fear. Let's make sure that while we're giving Rickey love whenever he returns to the field, that we keep him prayed up. He's gonna need it!

MSNBC