DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- The Miami Dolphins have signed Ricky Williams to a one-year contract extension through the 2009-10 season.

Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland said Sunday that the team wanted to keep the 31-year-old running back so "he didn't become a free agent" after this season.

Williams won the NFL's rushing title in 2002 before flunking the league's substance abuse test five times, announcing an early retirement and torpedoing the Dolphins franchise as they've missed the playoffs a franchise-record six straight seasons.

The Dolphins, coming off a 1-15 season, are hoping that Williams can return to his star form -- and fulfill his contract.