The Slatest

And it's a done deal. The NFL's regular (some might say "real") refs will return to the field beginning with tonight's Thursday night game.

The Washingon Post with the details:

The league and the NFL Referees Association announced they had agreed to an eight-year labor pact and planned for the regular officials to work Thursday night’s game in Baltimore between the Ravens and the Cleveland Browns. They are to officiate a full slate of games Sunday. ...

The officials are scheduled to meet Friday and Saturday to take a ratification vote. In the meantime, the NFL agreed to lift the lockout for Thursday night’s game. It is to be formally ended once a written deal is approved by the referees. No ratification vote by the NFL’s franchise owners is required.

Read more here.