NEW YORK -- Ricky Williams was reinstated by the NFL on Wednesday after being suspended for more than 18 months for violating the league's drug policy for the fourth time.
The 30-year-old running back, who has played in only 12 games since the start of the 2004 season, played in the Canadian Football League last season and applied for reinstatement to the NFL on Oct. 1. He tested positive again for marijuana in April, delaying his reinstatement through the first half of this season.
The league said Williams can begin attending team meetings and practicing immediately, but will not be able to play in a game until Miami, currently winless, plays at Pittsburgh on Monday night, Nov. 26. Meanwhile, the team will have a roster exemption for up to two weeks when he starts practicing.
Williams rushed for 3,225 yards in the 2002 and 2003 seasons after being traded to the Dolphins from New Orleans. He then retired in 2004, traveling in India and Australia before returning to the Dolphins in 2005, when he ran for 743 yards alternating with rookie Ronnie Brown.
Brown is currently on injured reserve, leaving Miami short on running backs