SAN FRANCISCO — Just when the Miami Dolphins thought they were done talking about Ricky Williams, news of the wayward running back's imminent return to the NFL put him back in his former teammates' thoughts Wednesday.
And not all of them were happy to be thinking and talking about whether Ricky will run for the Dolphins again.
Even during a week away from South Florida, the Dolphins couldn't get away from the specter of Williams, who stunned the team with his abrupt retirement before training camp. His departure precipitated Miami's free fall into its first losing season in 16 years, leading to coach Dave Wannstedt's resignation two weeks ago.
Defensive end Jason Taylor was among Williams' harshest critics when the running back walked away. When asked how Williams might be welcomed back to Miami, Taylor essentially bit his tongue.
"I don't know. Everybody is different," Taylor said. "Everybody has different opinions of the situation. If it happens, then we'll deal with it then, but everyone's reaction is going to be different."
While the Dolphins (1-9) were holed up in a San Francisco hotel this week preparing for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Williams was taking holistic medicine classes at a school about 180 miles northeast of the Bay Area — and his lawyer was working out a deal to get Williams back in the league.
According to his lawyer, Williams hopes to move from the retired list to the suspended list Dec. 5, when he'll serve his four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
After that, he would be under contract to Miami again — and the Dolphins would be forced to decide whether to welcome back a player who quit on them, or work out the best trade possible for a talented player with serious drawbacks to potential suitors.
Or release Williams.
Given the Dolphins' dismal season and nonexistent running game, most of the players feel they're in no position to pass judgment.
"As a teammate, I'd welcome him," defensive end David Bowens said. "I'm cool with it. First, he owes an apology. It's about his teammates. (But) I'm always a forgiver."
NEW NFL EUROPE TEAM: The Hamburg Sea Devils joined NFL Europe on Wednesday, meaning five of the league's six teams are in Germany.
The only team outside Germany is the Amsterdam Admirals. Hamburg replaces the Scottish Claymores.
In addition to Hamburg and Amsterdam, the other teams are: World Bowl champion Berlin Thunder, Cologne Centurions, Frankfurt Galaxy and Rhein Fire. The season begins the weekend of April 2-3.
LEWIS MISSING: Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis will miss Sunday's game against the New England Patriots with a sprained right ankle, the latest in a series of setbacks for the 2003 NFL rushing champion.
The injury occurred last Sunday during Baltimore's 30-10 win over Dallas. Lewis left in the first quarter and did not return after gaining 5 yards on two carries.
"He's definitely out this week," Ravens coach Brian Billick said Wednesday. "Bottom line, doctors are optimistic that he'll be able to go next week."
CARDS' HAMBRICK ON IR: Arizona Cardinals backup running back Troy Hambrick will miss the rest of the season with an injured foot.
The Cardinals placed him on the injured reserve list Wednesday and signed Damien Anderson to the active roster.
Hambrick injured his foot Sunday in the Cardinals' 35-10 loss at Carolina.
PENNINGTON TAKES FIRST THROWS: Jets quarterback Chad Pennington threw a football Wednesday for the first time since straining his right rotator cuff Nov. 7 against Buffalo.
Pennington threw 50 passes of 25 yards or less, and said he had no discomfort afterward. He added it was still too tough to tell when he would make his return. Pennington is out for Sunday's game at Arizona, and hopes to be back no later than Dec. 19.
BARROW DONE BEFORE HE STARTS: Linebacker Mike Barrow, who hasn't played a down all year, was placed on injured reserve by the Washington Redskins, officially ending his season.
The 34-year-old Barrow signed a six-year, $11.6 million contract, including a $2.5 million bonus, as a free agent from the New York Giants in the offseason, but he was sidelined from the beginning of training camp with acute tendinitis in his left knee.
Antonio Pierce has started every game in Barrow's place at middle linebacker and leads the team in tackles.
HOLCOMB TO START: Kelly Holcomb will make his first start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns this season, filling in for injured starter Jeff Garcia.
Coach Butch Davis named Holcomb the starter for Sunday's game at Cincinnati. He made the announcement Wednesday shortly after Garcia said that he hadn't ruled out starting.
Garcia sprained the rotator cuff in his right shoulder in Sunday's loss to the New York Jets. He said it was improving Wednesday, but he still couldn't practice.
ON-FIELD SEATING IN NFL: The Redskins said Wednesday they are not participating in an NFL experiment in on-field seating.
The league on Tuesday said Washington's home game against the New York Giants on Dec. 5 was one of four games that would have a limited number of high-priced seats located just 12 yards from the sideline.
But that's not correct, according to team spokesman Karl Swanson, adding "they asked in August if we wanted to participate, and we said no."
The other games in the experiment, as listed by the league, are Jacksonville at Minnesota on Sunday; Houston at Chicago on Dec. 19; and New England at Miami on Monday night, Dec. 20.
NEW SEAHAWK PUNTER: The Seattle Seahawks signed veteran punter Ken Walter on Wednesday, replacing rookie Donnie Jones.
The 32-year-old Walter, a seven-year veteran, spent most of last season with the New England Patriots, but was released in June. He averaged 37.7 yards per punt last season, with 25 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
Walter worked out for the Seahawks on Tuesday, two days after Jones had a rough outing in a 24-17 win over Miami. A seventh-round draft pick from LSU, he averaged 31.8 yards on eight punts, including kicks of 19, 23, 20 and 30 yards against the Dolphins.