NFL NOTEBOOK

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Brett Favre’s reinstatement to the NFL was held up again Friday as the three-time MVP mulled getting paid not to play through a marketing deal with the Green Bay Packers that could resolve the standoff over his retirement.

The potential agreement, worth a reported $20 million over 10 years, might end Favre’s bid to return just months after retiring. It also would likely keep him from reporting to Packers training camp and a team that is not planning to start him at quarterback for the first time since 1992.

After talking to Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy about the marketing deal Wednesday, Favre confirmed he was considering it to ESPN on Thursday.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy made it clear Friday that, from the team’s perspective, the agreement would be more than a buyout to make an awkward situation go away. In fact, it’s been in the works for months. He first heard about it at Favre’s retirement news conference in March.

“I know Mark Murphy talked to me about it in the past, how important it was for Brett to continue to be part of the organization after he was done playing,” McCarthy said after practice Friday morning. “And frankly, it’s good for Brett. Brett needs to stay a part of football, Obviously, he’s a part of the Green Bay Packers.”

Meanwhile, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sat on Favre’s reinstatement letter for the fourth straight day, giving the two sides more time to resolve the situation.

PANTHERS: Carolina receiver Steve Smith was sent home from training camp after he punched teammate Ken Lucas at practice, leaving the starting cornerback holding an ice pack to his left eye before he was carted to the locker room. Panthers coach John Fox said Smith and Lucas returned to Charlotte, about 80 miles away, after the fight. The Panthers didn’t provide an update on the extent of Lucas’ injuries and club officials declined to say if the volatile Smith, the team’s top receiver, would be suspended. While training camps often include shoving matches between teammates, this melee occurred on the sidelines and after both players had taken off their helmets in a break for starters during a special teams drill. It was unclear what provoked the fight. While the two have routinely jawed at each other in practice since Lucas signed with Carolina in 2005, they’ve never come to blows in view of reporters.

COWBOYS: A man identified by Dallas’ Adam “Pacman” Jones as the gunman in a strip club shooting that wounded three people in 2007 was indicted on seven felony counts. Arvin Kenti Edwards of Renton was ordered by a Las Vegas judge to be held without bail pending arraignment. Edwards is accused of wounding three people outside the Minxx strip club in February 2007 after police say Jones incited a brawl inside during NBA All-Star weekend in Las Vegas.

BILLS: Buffalo rookie Alvin Bowen sustained a severe right knee injury in practice and coach Dick Jauron expressed fear that the linebacker could miss the entire season. The Bills’ fifth-round pick out of Iowa State, Bowen was hurt during 7-on-7 drills while pursuing fullback Jonathan Evans, who had just caught a pass at the left sideline. When Bowen pulled up to avoid contact, his right cleat stuck in the turf, his knee buckled and he fell awkwardly to the ground yelling in pain.
RAVENS: Baltimore cornerback Fabian Washington was suspended one game without pay for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy, a punishment stemming from a domestic violence arrest in February involving his girlfriend. Acquired in a trade from the Oakland Raiders for a fourth-round draft pick during the NFL draft, Washington was arrested at his home in East Manatee County, Fla., following an altercation with his 21-year-old girlfriend.
COLTS: Even with his strong recovery from surgery on both knees, Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison likely won’t play Sunday in the Hall of Fame preseason game against the Washington Redskins. The 13-year NFL veteran will make the trip to Canton, Ohio, but is expected to watch from the sideline.

BRONCOS: A precautionary MRI turned up nothing wrong with the sore left knee of Denver center Tom Nalen. The 14-year veteran still didn’t take part in practice. Nalen had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on June 6. The MRI was done Thursday.