Report: Dolphins Renew Ricky Williams' Contract

Miami, FL -- (Sports Network) - The Miami Dolphins have reportedly renewed the contact of troubled running back Ricky Williams for 2008.

Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg, wrote an e-mail to The Miami Herald, saying Williams received a letter from Dolphins executive vice president of football operations Bill Parcells informing him of the decision.

Steinberg also indicated that Williams is doing well in his rehabilitation from a torn pectoral muscle that ended his 2007 season after just six carries against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 26.

Williams returned to the NFL this season after being reinstated by commissioner Roger Goodell following an 18-month suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

The 1998 Heisman Trophy winner from Texas spent his first three NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints and joined the Dolphins for the 2002 campaign. He led the league with 1,853 yards in his first year with Miami and added 1,372 yards the following season.

He sat out the 2004 campaign after announcing his retirement, but came back after the Dolphins demanded he return bonus money for breach of contract. In the 2005 season, Williams ran for 743 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games after sitting out a four-game suspension for violating the drug policy.

In April 2006, Williams was suspended for his fourth violation of the league's anti-drug policy. Unable to play in the NFL in 2006, Williams inked a one- year deal with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. With the Argos, he rushed for 623 yards on 124 carries and caught 24 passes for 193 yards. He also missed two months of the season due to a broken arm.

Williams is scheduled to make $730,000 next season.