Apr 26, 6:20 AM EDT
By DAVE CAMPBELL
AP Sports Writer
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The NFL is a long way from playing football again - even if players are welcomed back to work with no lockout to stop them.
U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson granted the players' request for an injunction to lift the lockout on Monday, ending the NFL's work stoppage in its 45th day but prompting an immediate notice from the league that it will appeal.
And players? They were told to show up ready for work - or workouts - on Tuesday.
Bills safety George Wilson confirmed that the NFLPA emailed players after Nelson's ruling suggesting they show up at team facilities. He said players were told if they are denied access that teams would be in violation of the judge's ruling.
"We have received inquiry from a number of players and agents. We have simply responded and told them we don't see anything wrong with it," NFL Players Association spokesman George Atallah said in a text message to The Associated Press. "Players are organizing stuff on their own."
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said any player who shows up at team facilities will be allowed in and "treated courteously and with respect."
"As soon as Judge Nelson lifted the lockout this afternoon, a number of my teammates called and asked me if they could return to work," Browns linebacker Scott Fujita said. "Basically, I told them I don't see why not."
Others weren't ready to go that far.
