Ricky Williams

The Ravens needed depth at running back, so they have reportedly signed former Dolphin Ricky Williams, according to ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio.

Williams, 34, rushed for over 1,000 yards five times in eight seasons from 2000 to 2009, twice rushing for double-digit touchdowns. Last season, however, Williams split rushing duties with Ronnie Brown, gaining just 673 yards on the ground. Williams also brings some receiving skills to the Ravens’ running corps, averaging over 35 receptions per season across his career.

Williams’ production has been overshadowed by off-the-field issues over the last few seasons. Williams opted to retire from football after the 2003-04 season instead of pay a $650,000 fine and face a four-game suspension for testing positive for marijuana a second time in his NFL career.

It was rumored at the time Williams might have failed a third drug test prior to retirement, a rumor that was confirmed when the NFL suspended Williams for the entire 2006 season after a confirmed fourth violation of the NFL drug policy.

Williams has also become more injury-prone over the last five years: he broke a bone in his left arm in July 2006 with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts, missing two months, and tore a pectoral in November 2007, missing the rest of the season.

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