The Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Tim Bowens is contemplating retirement due to a back ailment that forced him to miss the last two games of last season. Bowens' doctor told him that nothing could be done to cure his back problem, short of hoping time would do the trick. A source close to Bowens said Sunday that the player is frustrated with his condition to the point where retirement is now a serious consideration

The Miami Dolphins signed free agent defensive tackle Keith Traylor to a two-year contract Monday. The 6-foot-2, 340-pound Traylor was released by the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots earlier this month. Miami is the fifth NFL stop for Traylor, a 13-year veteran who was drafted as a linebacker by Denver in the third round of the 1991 draft. Traylor has 459 career tackles, including 13 sacks, and has forced 11 fumbles while recovering three more.

Ricky Williams is discussing a comeback with the Miami Dolphins, coach Nick Saban said Thursday. Saban acknowledged holding recent discussions with Williams, whose sudden retirement stunned the Dolphins shortly before training camp began last season. He would not divulge specifics of the talks, but has long said that he was open to the prospect of Williams returning. Williams rushed for 3,225 yards and 25 touchdowns in his two seasons with the Dolphins. "Ricky still seems to be very, very interested in coming back," Saban said. "As I've said before, the things that we discuss, we've decided not to talk about publicly. I think that I can safely say that you all know about his situation as I do." Leigh Steinberg, Williams' agent, didn't immediately return a phone message seeking comment.

Ricky Williams is reportedly inching his way back to the NFL. Several of his friends expect Williams to return to the Dolphins, but coach Nick Saban said Tuesday, ''He hasn't given me any indication that he has had any change of mind . . . on coming back.'' Before making a final decision, Williams would like to know whether the NFL will require him to serve a suspension for marijuana use.

Miami receiver David Boston is expected to resign to a one year deal with the club. Boston was acquired by Miami before last season but didn't play after tearing the patellar tendon in his left knee during a pre-season practice. Boston, a first-round draft choice of the Arizona Cardinals in 1999, had 1,156 and 1,598 receiving yards for the club in 2000 and 2001, but lasted only one tumultuous season in San Diego after signing a free-agent contract there in 2003.

The Dolphins indicated on Monday that cornerback Will Poole underwent surgery to repair the damage in his left knee he sustained when he was injured two weeks ago. The team also announced the signing of three rookie free agents who were among those given tryouts at the team's May minicamp. Signed on Monday were guard Bobby Meeks from Florida State, safety Atari Bigby from Central Florida and safety Abram Elam from Kent. Poole underwent surgery to repair the medial meniscus and the ACL in his left knee.