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So much for the notion Ricky Williams could turn his back on a long-standing habit and regain his status as a legitimate Fantasy prospect any time soon. ESPN insider Chris Mortensen is reporting that Williams tested positive for marijuana in April and will not be allowed to reapply for reinstatement from his drug suspension until September.

Assuming Mortensen's report is true, Williams' odds of returning to Miami -- or playing in the NFL again -- just slid from slim to much closer to none.

In case you haven't been paying attention, Williams was suspended last year for violation of the substance abuse policy and was eligible to be reinstated this month. But Mortensen, citing unnamed sources, reports the league's medical advisors that oversee Williams' personal rehabilitation program recently notified commissioner Roger Goodell of the positive test.

Mortensen further noted the doctors also recommended that Williams not be allowed to apply for reinstatement until September. The commissioner usually adheres to the advice of the medical advisors under the substance abuse policy.

"Falling off the wagon is part of rehab," a source told Mortensen. "Based on the medical evidence in Ricky's case, the doctors say it's too early to come back. He had the positive test last month. Remember, he's been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder -- that's a real disease and a good percentage of those folks self-medicate with substances like marijuana, often at the moment they are about to have a high level of social interaction."

It's worth noting that Williams told ESPN Radio on April 6 that he hasn't gotten high on drugs "in maybe three years" and had no need to resume using marijuana because yoga had eased his stress. Asked by host Dan Patrick the last time he was tested, Williams said "two minutes ago."

Patrick asked if he passed. "Sure, yeah," Williams replied.

As Miami Herald beat writer Armando Salguero blogged this morning, Mortensen's report explains a lot of about how the Dolphins have been reacting to questions about Williams. Clearly, the team is in the loop about his progress (or lack thereof) while he's in the drug program and it makes sense if they've been aware that Williams fell off the wagon, they would distance themselves from him or try not get anyone's hopes up about his return.

Salguero went on to suggest this news seems to confirm the Dolphins have been correct with their unstated, yet obvious, policy of not relying on Williams, who has proven over and over that he cannot be counted on.

Salguero added: "Miami made the mistake of counting on Ricky twice in the last three years and got burned each time."

Dave Wannstedt counted on Williams to be his offense in 2004 and the star running back bolted before the season. Nick Saban counted on Williams to be a stabilizing force in his backfield last year, a great insurance policy against Ronnie Brown's so-so performances, but Williams wasn't around when his coach and team needed him.

So Salguero concludes, it's obvious neither general manager Randy Mueller nor coach Cam Cameron are going to allow themselves to depend on Williams. Ever.

Mueller, who was GM in New Orleans when Williams was traded to Miami for a pair of first-round draft picks, selected Lorenzo Booker to be Miami's backup running back in this year's draft.

Cameron, meanwhile, has offered a sobering contrast to the manner in which Saban treated Williams upon his hiring. As Salguero reminded readers, Saban called Williams right away and embraced him. Cameron not only hasn't reached out to the aging halfback, he's dodged questions regarding Williams' future in Miami without fail.

That Booker was assigned and moved into Williams' old locker last week appears to have been a more significant development than team officials led us to believe at the time.

It might also help explain the sense of urgency with which Cameron has approach the position this offseason. More specifically, the manner in which he's dogged Brown, who admittedly showed up for the off-season program in less-than-ideal condition.

Indeed, Cameron's sudden and surprising decision to fire running backs coach Bobby Williams last month was reportedly made in large part because Brown showed up for the team's first mini-camp over his target weight and then fumbled the ball on multiple occasions during one of the sessions.

Brown admitted last week that Cameron was displeased with his conditioning when he reported.

"A little bit. I think that's just from the added emphasis put on the running back position in general," said Brown, who was initially about eight pounds overweight at 240 and who needed to slice his 12 percent body fat down to 8 or 9 percent.

Brown, whose first two seasons yielded combined totals of 1,915 rushing yards (4.3 per carry), 65 catches for 508 yards and just 10 total touchdowns, claimed to be down to 234 pounds last Sunday.

Meanwhile, Cameron said he's just pushing Brown to become "a great player."

And make no mistake about it: Cameron understands what it takes to be a great player after working closely with LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego. And based on his totals to date, Brown would be well advised to pay heed.