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Williams Applies For Reinstatement

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The Associated Press

Published: October 2, 2007

MIAMI - Suspended running back Ricky Williams applied for NFL reinstatement Monday, his agent said.

'Ricky is extremely excited about the prospect of playing in the NFL again and hopeful for a positive response,' his agent Leigh Steinberg said.

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 in April, again delaying his return.

Williams remains under contract with Miami, where he won the NFL rushing title in 2002.

Niners QB Smith Out, Won't Need Surgery

Forty-Niners quarterback Alex Smith will miss the game against Baltimore on Sunday, but won't need surgery on his separated right shoulder.

Coach Mike Nolan said Monday the 49ers won't set a target return date for Smith until Thursday, when the swelling subsides in his shoulder.

Though similar injuries sometimes require two to three months of recovery, Nolan expressed hope Smith might even return by Oct. 21, when the 49ers visit the New York Giants in their first game after a bye week.

Smith was hurt on the third play of the 49ers' 23-3 loss to Seattle on Sunday when 308-pound defensive tackle Rocky Bernard landed on him while sacking him.

Trent Dilfer, who got his first game action since 2005 in relief of Smith, will get the start against the Ravens.

Cardinals To Stick With 2-Quarterback Plan

TEMPE, Ariz. - Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt knows starting quarterback Matt Leinart is unhappy splitting time with Kurt Warner.

Whisenhunt also knows his two-quarterback scheme has helped the Cardinals (2-2) match their best start in 20 mostly dismal seasons in Arizona. And that's why he has no thoughts of changing the game plan, which calls for Warner to come off the bench occasionally and lead a no-huddle attack.

'I think we have two guys that are unique in that we have two unselfish guys that have a very good relationship,' Whisenhunt said Monday. 'I also feel like we have, in a backup quarterback a former MVP, former Super Bowl winner that is a good football player, and he's shown that he can do that.'

Many of the questions have arisen because Leinart has made no secret of his displeasure with the scheme.

'I'd be lying if I said I was happy with the way things are going,' Leinart said Monday. 'But at the same time, it's pushing me to become a better football player.'

BEARS: Terminated Obafemi Ayanbadejo's contract, cutting ties with the fullback who had just completed a four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.

Ayanbadejo signed a one-year contract with the Bears in June after spending the previous three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.

BILLS: Backup linebacker Kevin Harrison is lost for the season because of a knee injury.

COLTS: Coach Tony Dungy was awaiting medical updates, yet acknowledged that Marvin Harrison, Bob Sanders and Joseph Addai, along with linebacker Rob Morris and No. 2 tight end Ben Utecht, could be sidelined with injuries when Indianapolis hosts the Bucs on Sunday.

PANTHERS: Quarterback Jake Delhomme hopes a rigorous rehabilitation program will allow him to avoid season-ending surgery on his strained right elbow.

A week after it was announced Delhomme would not need surgery, Delhomme acknowledged an operation is possible.

'Maybe that could happen down the line. I don't know, and that's the God's honest truth,' Delhomme said Monday. 'We don't know yet. To say it's a possibility, yes it's possible. But it's not in my mind right now. That's where we're at.'

PATRIOTS: Signed fullback Kyle Eckel to the active roster and released linebacker Corey Mays.

REDSKINS: Signed Keenan McCardell, adding depth to a team with only one healthy wideout who has caught a pass this year. McCardell has 861 career catches with Cleveland, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay and San Diego. The team also released safety Omar Stoutmire.

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