NFL.com reports that the locked out referees and the NFL have come to an agreement on contracts, officially ending the lockout and the need for replacement referees.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the refs will be back on the field starting Thursday night.
Much speculation has followed the replacement referees being used by the NFL since the start of this years’ season. The situation was finally brought to a head after a backlash from coaches and players following a touchdown ruling made by replacement refs on the last play of the recent Packers/Seahawks game.
“We appreciate the commitment of the NFLRA in working through the issues to reach this important agreement,” Goodell said in a joint statement issued by the NFL and NFLRA.
Thursday night’s game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens can be seen on NFL Network at 8 p.m. ET.
For more information, click here to view NFL.com
