Referees will be back for Week 4, according to reports

After three weeks and an undeniable PR disaster, regardless of your feelings about the end of the Seahawks win over the Packers, the replacement referees will no longer be on the field as multiple reports say the NFL and NFLRA have come to a multi-year agreement that will allow the regular NFL referees to return to work beginning on Thursday night when the Browns face the Ravens.

The replacement referees drew plenty of harsh criticism from fans, perhaps at a level that wasn't fully warranted, before a Monday Night Football matchup between the Packers and Seahawks caused an outcry from many NFL players and coaches.

However, the return of the formerly locked-out officials may not go completely smoothly, though, as NBC's officiating consultant, Jim Daopoulos, told Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk earlier on Wednesday that he estimated about 20 of the officials may not be able to pass the physical test required to be on the field.

Regardless, Daopoulos also told PFT that a crew for Thursday's game will be assembled immediately and that the referees will meet in Dallas on Friday to receive equipment and their Week 4 assignments.