NFL | Brett Favre applies for reinstatement, awaits approval

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Quarterback Brett Favre's decision to file for reinstatement will force the Green Bay Packers to do one of three things: release him, trade him, or allow him to report to camp.

If the three-time league most valuable player reports, it potentially could cause a major distraction for a Green Bay team that has said it is committed to moving on after the 38-year-old Favre announced his retirement in March.

League spokesman Randall Liu confirmed Favre sent his reinstatement paperwork to the NFL office Tuesday. Favre is awaiting approval from commissioner Roger Goodell, a step that is considered a formality but wouldn't happen until today at the earliest.

Once Favre is reinstated, the Packers will have 24 hours to decide what to do with him.

"That's obviously the first step in Brett coming back, so we'll deal with that when he is reinstated and we'll definitely have a plan in order," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said after practice Tuesday afternoon.

If Goodell reinstates Favre today, his return to the practice field for the Packers could come Friday. The Packers practice twice today but can wait a day to put Favre back on their active roster. The team does not have a scheduled public practice Thursday.

Throughout Favre's latest round of flip-flopping on his football future, Packers officials have said he had the option of rejoining the team — but 24-year-old Aaron Rodgers would be the starter.

"Brett Favre is still a very good football player," McCarthy said. "He is an asset to our football team. Once again, I'm going to answer this question for the last time. The plan for Brett Favre will be discussed with Brett Favre first, and then we'll make it aware to the public."

McCarthy said Rodgers will start all of the exhibition games.

The team owns Favre's rights until his contract expires after the 2010 season, making a trade the most likely outcome acceptable to both Favre and the Packers.

Ex-Husky Williams reinjures knee

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Reggie Williams, a former Washington Huskies standout, reinjured his right knee, hours after being activated.

During the evening practice, Williams made a spin move after a reception and hurt the knee. He limped to the sideline, was examined by trainers and was taken by cart to the locker room for tests.

Williams, 25, was placed on the physically unable to perform list as the team opened training camp last weekend. He said he sprained his knee running steps inside Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.

Notes

• Dallas Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman, 29, will miss at least three weeks of practice because of a groin injury, a setback for the player who made the Pro Bowl last season.

• Philadelphia defensive end Chris Clemons, 26, was released from a hospital where he was treated for dehydration.

Clemons was helped off the field in Bethlehem, Pa., about two hours into the team's morning practice. He returned to the training facility later in the day, the team said on its Web site.

• Buffalo backup quarterback J.P. Losman, 27, was held out of practice in Pittsford, N.Y., a day after jamming the thumb on his throwing hand.

Bills coach Dick Jauron said Losman's right thumb was too swollen for him to practice.