According to multiple published sources, Ricky Williams has violated the NFL's substance abuse policy for the fourth time, earning an automatic one-year suspension.
Williams was believed to be on the trading block -- in fact, it was Denver TV station KDVR that first learned of the violation while speaking to an NFL offical regarding the possibility of Williams coming to Denver -- but the Dolphins are now simply out of luck.
The silver lining for fantasy owners, however, is that second-year running back Ronnie Brown will see his value shoot through the roof now that he's expected to be the team's sole runner. It would have happened regardless if Williams was traded, but it's now all but guaranteed, pending an official announcement regarding Williams' violation.
In 2005, Brown carried 207 times for 907 yards, adding 32 receptions for 232 yards while scoring a combined five touchdowns. Williams carried 168 times for 743 yards and six touchdowns, adding 17 catches for 93 yards. Now that Brown will be the only one toting the rock, expect his rushing total to approach 1,400 yards and his touchdowns to climb into double-digits.
Dolphins' Williams Faces Another Ban [Washington Post]