Ricky Williams' 2007 season reportedly lasted just six carries. The Dolphins' running back, who was reinstated last month after a one-year suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, suffered a torn chest muscle in the Dolphins' 3-0 loss to the Steelers on Monday night, the Palm Beach Post reported, citing an unnamed source.

A terrible field and dreadful weather caused the Dolphins and Steelers to rewind to a different NFL era, a time when points came at a premium and one field goal could decide a game. They trudged through the quagmire of Heinz Field, nearly going all night without scoring. Nearly. Jeff Reed's 24-yard field goal with 17 seconds left Monday night gave Pittsburgh a 3-0 victory over winless Miami, the first time in 64 years an NFL game went that long without any points.

Miami Dolphins' linebacker Derrick Pope missed practice Saturday after being hospitalized for undisclosed reasons. According to the Miami Herald, Pope was released shortly after noon from Jackson South Community Hospital. He said he was "fine," but would not discuss specifics about why he was admitted, the Herald said. Dolphins' Coach Cam Cameron said at a news conference Saturday team he did not know why Pope was in the hospital. According to the Herald, Cameron didn't believe Pope was hospitalized because of a football-related injury. Pope's status for Monday night's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers has been listed as questionable. He has started at outside linebacker for the past five games.

Dolphins' Coach Cam Cameron has been vague about his plans, but a teammate who has witnessed Williams' every stride this week said he expects the former NFL rushing leader to make his return Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. "I don't want to jump the gun, but it would be a shock to me if he wasn't playing Monday," running back Samkon Gado said Friday. "He looks that good." Williams had his first full practice Wednesday since rejoining the team after an 18-month suspension for violating the NFL substance-abuse policy. He also practiced Thursday and Friday. "I was thoroughly impressed with him," Gado said of Williams, who last played 14 months ago in the Canadian Football League. "I had to go up to him and ask, 'What have you been doing the last year? Is there some league we haven't heard of?'" "He doesn't even look like he has to get used to the system. It looks like he's been in training camp with us."

Knocking out Donovan McNabb couldn't help the Miami Dolphins win a game. Backup quarterback A.J. Feeley led a pair of second-half scoring drives; Brian Westbrook had a career-best 148 yards rushing; and the Philadelphia Eagles beat Miami 17-7 on Sunday, dropping the Dolphins to 0-10. No NFL team has finished 0-16. Tampa Bay went 0-14 in 1976. McNabb left with a sprained right ankle in the second quarter, nearly a full year after his season ended with a torn knee ligament. X-rays were negative, but McNabb spent the second half watching from the sideline.

Miami Dolphins' linebacker Zach Thomas won't play Sunday at Philadelphia, making it the fifth game he will have missed since a concussion in September. The seven-time Pro Bowl player said earlier this week he hopes to return this season. "It's one of those unique situations that you take today for what it is, and you see what tomorrow brings," Dolphins' Coach Cam Cameron said Friday. The 34-year-old Thomas missed two games in September. In October, Thomas was involved in a car crash after a loss to the New England Patriots. He suffered whiplash and recurring migraines and has missed Miami's last two games.

Ricky Williams' reinstatement is complete, with the Miami Dolphins saying they'll welcome him back on the field beginning Monday. First-year Coach Cam Cameron decided to let Williams rejoin the team after they met Thursday. The NFL lifted Williams' 1?-year suspension Wednesday. "The meeting was positive," Cameron said. "He'll be a member of this team and will start with us Monday. He's a Miami Dolphin." For months, Cameron had been mum regarding whether he would want Williams. In May, when discussing Williams' latest relapse, the coach said it's difficult to salvage the careers of troubled players.

The winless Miami Dolphins have decided to find out whether rookie John Beck is their quarterback of the future. Beck will make his NFL debut when he starts Sunday at Philadelphia, replacing Cleo Lemon with the first team. Coach Cam Cameron told the quarterbacks of the change Wednesday, a person familiar with the conversation told The Associated Press.

Ricky Williams' suspension ended after more than 18 months Wednesday when he was reinstated by the NFL. Still unclear is whether the Miami Dolphins want him back. The 2002 league rushing champion, who has played in only 12 games since the start of the 2004 season, was in the Canadian Football League last season and applied for reinstatement Oct. 1. He was suspended last year after violating the league's drug policy for the fourth time and tested positive again for marijuana in April, delaying his return through the first half of this season. Williams remains under contract with the Dolphins. But first-year coach Cam Cameron, whose team is 0-9, has given no indication he wants Williams. The Dolphins had no immediate comment on Williams' reinstatement.

Miami Dolphins' linebacker Zach Thomas may be back in the lineup this week. Thomas returned to full contact at practice Thursday. He has been bothered by the lingering effects of a concussion and subsequent car accident. Thomas said he expects to play Sunday against Buffalo but awaits medical clearance. "I've got to be smart," he said, "but I feel fine right now." Thomas missed two games in September with a concussion. Following the Dolphins' 49-28 loss to New England on Oct. 21, he was involved in an accident on the Florida Turnpike on the way home from the stadium, and he missed Miami's only game since.