NEW YORK, July 20 (UPI) -- Running back Ricky Williams has been cleared to return to the Miami Dolphins in time for the team's training camp starting Sunday.
His return will come one year and one day after he abruptly retired.
Williams, 28, the NFL rushing champion in 2002, still faces a four-game suspension at the start of the 2005 season for violating the NFL substance abuse program. A judge in Florida upheld an arbitrator's ruling that Williams had to repay the Dolphins $8.6 million in bonus money after the club claimed breach of contract.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league will allow Williams to return without incurring a further violation of the drug program.
Williams will be a three-time policy offender and one more violation will mean a one-year suspension. In five seasons, he has 3,225 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns.
