Williams reinstated; Miami to start Beck

The winless Miami Dolphins have a new quarterback and -- if they wish -- a new running back.

Ricky Williams’ 1 1/2 -year suspension ended Wednesday when he was reinstated by the NFL. The announcement came only hours after Coach Cam Cameron decided to give the quarterback job to rookie John Beck, who will make his NFL debut Sunday at Philadelphia.

The developments might provide exactly the sort of shake-up an 0-9 team needs. But Cameron remained mum regarding whether he wants Williams. The 2002 NFL rushing champion has played in only 12 games since the start of the 2004 season. He was scheduled to fly to South Florida for a physical today and meet with Cameron, said Williams’ agent, Leigh Steinberg.

Cameron, still seeking his first win as an NFL head coach, said he talked with Williams by phone for “five or six minutes” Wednesday, but hadn’t made a decision about activating him.

“I want to see where he is, and also let him know where we’re headed, and we’ll go from there,” Cameron said.

After repeatedly claiming he was healthy enough to play, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith acknowledged that his recently separated right shoulder and a chronically strained forearm have contributed to his dismal efforts in the past three games of the 49ers’ seven-game losing streak.

“Without a doubt, I’m not throwing the same way I was the first three weeks, and last year,” Smith said before sitting out practice to rest his forearm.

“Trying to play through this is hard. . . . I chose to go out there and play, thought I could, thought it would get better as the weeks go on, and it hasn’t.”

The Indianapolis Colts put defensive end Dwight Freeney on injured reserve, ending his season. Wide receivers Marvin Harrison and Anthony Gonzalez, along with safety Bob Sanders and defensive end Robert Mathis, all missed practice. . . . Rex Grossman has his job back as the Chicago Bears’ starting quarterback. At least for a week. He’ll replace the injured Brian Griese in Sunday’s game in Seattle.

Daunte Culpepper moved back into the starting quarterback role for the Oakland Raiders just in time to face one of his former teams, the Minnesota Vikings. . . . Even though Joey Harrington led Atlanta to two victories in a row, Byron Leftwich remains the No. 1 quarterback for the Falcons, Coach Bobby Petrino said.

Bills running back Marshawn Lynch missed practice because of a severely sprained left ankle and is unlikely to play Sunday night when Buffalo plays host to the unbeaten New England Patriots. . . . Quarterback Kyle Boller will get the start for Baltimore and will seek to rejuvenate the Ravens’ stagnant offense Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth sat out a light practice with the Tennessee Titans because of a right hamstring injury. . . . Pro Bowl middle linebacker Antonio Pierce missed the New York Giants practice because of a mild concussion. Wide receiver Plaxico Burress (ankle) and halfback Derrick Ward (ankle) also missed the workout, and rookie wide receiver Steve Smith was limited because of a hamstring injury.