By Tony Moss, NFL Editor -- (Sports Network) - New Orleans Saints fans might not get much of a chance to boo Ricky Williams on Thursday, when their former first-round pick and his new team, the Miami Dolphins, visit the Louisiana Superdome in the preseason capper for both clubs.

Williams has emerged as the likely running back starter for the Dolphins in 2008, meaning he'll probably make no more than a cameo on Thursday, in keeping with final-week-of-preseason tradition. A persistent thumb injury to fellow Miami running back Ronnie Brown, who is also attempting to rebound from ACL surgery, has hastened Williams' trip to the top of the depth chart.

The former Heisman Trophy winner was selected No. 5 overall by the Saints in the 1999 Draft, but played only three disappointing seasons in New Orleans before being dealt to Miami on March 8, 2002. In his first year in Miami, the former University of Texas star rushed for a league-high 1,853 yards and made the Pro Bowl.

Also at issue for Miami on Thursday will be the formation of the depth chart behind starter Chad Pennington. Journeyman Josh McCown, rookie Chad Henne, and 2007 second-round pick John Beck are all attempting to win jobs, with Beck widely viewed as the likely odd-man-out when final cuts are made this Saturday.

Joey Porter (back) is among the prominent Dolphins unlikely to appear against New Orleans. Browns' status is uncertain for Thursday.

The big story for the Saints, once again, is the possible first appearance in a New Orleans uniform for tight end Jeremy Shockey.

Shockey was expected to make his Saints debut in last week's 13-0 win over the Bengals, but did not appear. Shockey, who was traded from the Giants to the Saints on the eve of training camp, is recovering from a broken leg that prematurely ended his season a year ago.

Shockey is slated to play one quarter against the Dolphins, though he is unlikely to catch passes from starting quarterback Drew Brees, who probably won't be in uniform.

Other Saints stars such as Reggie Bush (thigh), Marques Colston (ribs), and rookie defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis (ankle) could be held out for precautionary reasons.

The Dolphins will open their 2008 campaign with a home date against Brett Favre and the Jets on Sept. 7., while the Saints begin by hosting the division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers the same day.

Miami leads the all-time preseason series with New Orleans, 11-7, but was a 7-0 road loser in the last such meeting, at the Superdome prior to the 2007 season.