Orchard Park, N.Y. ? The return of running back Ricky Williams wasn’t exactly front and center in the minds of most Miami Dolphins players Sunday afternoon.

The distraction of a record-worst penalty performance and an ugly loss to the Buffalo Bills will do that.

But given their situation, a little good news would be nice for the Dolphins.

Williams returns today after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. It’s telling how far Williams, who missed last season after abruptly retiring, has come: The reaction to his return has gone from unsure in July to glowing in October.

“The trust and the respect are already there,” wide receiver Chris Chambers said. “We’ve seen what he’s done since July, working so hard to get back. He has been out there with us throughout the whole process. You see what kind of shape he’s in, and he’s gained the weight back. He strong, and he’s going to help us, and that’s what we need.”

Williams has overcome one chief concern. Some wondered if Williams could rebuild trust with teammates stung by his actions of a year ago, when he left the team on the eve of training camp.

One unresolved issue is Williams’ contract. Agent Leigh Steinberg, who has declined comment, has asked the team to revisit the deal, perhaps to add some incentives.

A source indicated the Dolphins gave Steinberg a tepid response but will at least discuss the idea. But a new deal likely would include the same type of recoupment provisions Williams had in his deal before his retirement and subsequent forfeiture of his $3.7 million base salary.

Because of his four-game fine and suspension imposed for the second and third violations of the league’s substance-abuse policy, Williams stands to make approximately $284,000 this year. The fine and suspension are deducted from a base salary of $540,000 for this season, which is paid over the course of 17 weeks.