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 he reports, it potentially could cause a major distraction for a team that committed to moving on after he retired in March.

NFL spokesman Randall Liu confirmed that Favre sent his reinstatement paperwork to the NFL offices yesterday. He now is awaiting approval from commissioner Roger Goodell, a step that is considered a formality, but wouldn't be forthcoming 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.

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 tomorrow.

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

"Brett Favre is still a very good football player," McCarthy said. "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."

ELSEWHERE

Saints: Defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, selected seventh overall out of Southern California, ended his holdout yesterday. Ellis agree to a five-year contract; financial details were not released. "It's about time," said general manager Mickey Loomis. "It took a little longer than it should have."

Cowboys: Cornerback Terence Newman will miss at least three weeks of practice because of a groin injury, another early setback for the player coming off his first Pro Bowl season. Coach Wade Phillips said an MRI yesterday revealed a "significant" injury to Newman's left groin. Newman, the 2003 first-round pick going into his sixth NFL season, suffered the injury Monday when he became tangled up with a receiver.

Bears: Six-time Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz, sidelined with a sore Achilles' tendon, practiced yesterday for the first time this year. When the Saint Louis School alum was asked if he was glad for the extra week of rest, he said no. "You've got to get your work in, so I'm glad to be back," Kreutz said.

Jaguars: Wide receiver Reggie Williams reinjured his right knee last night, 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 team trainers and then carted off the field to the locker room for tests. Coach Jack Del Rio declined comment.

Rams: Guard Mark Setterstrom left before practice yesterday with numbness in his right leg and foot, which the team believed may have been caused by a brace pinching on a nerve. A precautionary MRI exam was ordered for the third-year player, who had season-ending knee surgery after the third game last season.

Bills: Backup quarterback J.P. Losman was held out of practice yesterday, a day after jamming the thumb on his throwing hand. Coach Dick Jauron listed Losman as day to day, saying the quarterback's right thumb was too swollen for him to practice.

Ravens: Tackle Adam Terry was carted off the field yesterday, clutching his leg and screaming in pain after spraining his left ankle when he flipped over running back Ray Rice. It's not believed to be a season-ending or long-term injury.

Steelers: Punter Daniel Sepulveda tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee for the second time in three years and is expected to miss the season. The Steelers used rookie kicker Julian Rauch as their practice punter yesterday, but claimed former Broncos punter Paul Ernster off waivers from Detroit.