NEW YORK (AP) --So long, replacements refs. The NFL's regular crews will be back at work starting Thursday night. After two days of marathon negotiations -- and mounting frustration among coaches, players and fans -- the NFL and the referees' union announced at midnight Thursday that a tentative agreement had been reached to end a lockout that began in June. Commissioner Roger Goodell, who was at the bargaining table Tuesday and Wednesday, said the regulars would call the Browns-Ravens game at Baltimore. The tentative eight-year deal must be ratified by 51 percent of the union's 121 members. They plan to vote Friday and Saturday. "Welcome back REFS," Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller tweeted shortly after the news broke. The replacements worked the first three weeks of games, triggering a wave of outrage that threatened to disrupt the rest of the season. After a missed call cost the Green Bay Packers a win on a chaotic final play at Seattle on Monday night, the two sides really got serious. "We are glad to be getting back on the field for this week's games," referees' union president Scott Green said. The NFLRA said the current defined benefit pension plan will remain in place for current officials through the 2016 season or until the official earns 20 years' service. The defined benefit plan will then be frozen. Retirement benefits will be provided for new hires, and for all officials beginning in 2017, through a defined contribution arrangement. The annual league contribution made on behalf of each game official will begin with an average of more than $18,000 per official and increase to more than $23,000 per official in 2019, and a partial match on any additional contribution that an official makes to his 401(k) account. Apart from their benefit package, the game officials' compensation will increase from an average of $149,000 a year in 2011 to $173,000 in 2013, rising to $205,000 by 2019. Beginning with the 2013 season, the NFL will have the option of hiring a number of officials on a full-time basis to work year-round, including on the field. The NFL will have the option to retain additional officials for training and development purposes, and may assign those additional officials to work NFL games. The number of additional officials will be determined by the NFL. Replacement refs aren't new to the NFL. They worked the first week of games in 2001 before a deal was reached. But those officials came from the highest level of college football; the current replacements do not. Their ability to call fast-moving NFL games drew mounting criticism through Week 3, climaxing last weekend, when ESPN analyst Jon Gruden called their work "tragic and comical." Those comments came during Monday Night Football, with Seattle beating Green Bay 14-12 on a desperation pass into the end zone on the final play. Packers safety M.D. Jennings had both hands on the ball in the end zone, and when he fell to the ground in a scrum, both Jennings and Seahawks receiver Golden Tate had their arms on the ball. The closest official to the play, at the back of the end zone, signaled for the clock to stop, while another official at the sideline ran in and then signaled touchdown. The NFL said in a statement Tuesday that the touchdown pass should not have been overturned -- but acknowledged Tate should have been called for offensive pass interference before the catch. The league also said there was no indisputable evidence to reverse the call made on the field. That drew even louder howls of disbelief. Some coaches, including Miami's Joe Philbin and Cincinnati's Marvin Lewis, tried to restore some calm by instructing players not to speak publicly on the issue. Fines against two coaches for incidents involving the replacements were handed out Wednesday. New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick was docked $50,000 for trying to grab an official's arm Sunday to ask for an explanation of a call after his team lost at Baltimore. And Washington offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan was tagged for $25,000 for what the league called "abuse of officials" in the Redskins' loss to Cincinnati on Sunday. Two other coaches, Denver's John Fox and assistant Jack Del Rio, were fined Monday for incidents involving the replacements the previous week. "I accept the discipline and I apologize for the incident," Belichick said. Players were in no mood for apologies from anyone. "I'll probably get in trouble for this, but you have to have competent people," Carolina receiver Steve Smith said. "And if you're incompetent, get them out of there." Added Rams quarterback Sam Bradford: "I just don't think it's fair to the fans, I don't think it's fair to us as players to go out there and have to deal with that week in and week out. I really hope that they're as close as they say they are." They were. Finally.

Tyrann Mathieu won’t be playing football in the 2012-13 season, as the former LSU star is reportedly slated to remain in rehab. According to Fox 8′s Jen Hale, Mathieu and his family have decided that “Tyrann will remain at a drug rehab center in Houston for the near future, instead of returning to classes at LSU or any other college – in order to play football this fall.” Mathieu is also under the wing of a former athlete who knows something about overcoming substance issues and going on to achieve success at the professional level. According to the Fox 8 affiliate: Former NBA star John Lucas is now mentoring Tyrann daily. Lucas was a successful NBA standout for 14 years before a cocaine and alcohol addiction threatened to destroy him. USA Today’s Glenn Guilbeau reported that a source said Mathieu was dismissed from LSU “for repeated positive drug tests revealing marijuana over the last year.” The Bednarik Award winner—as best defensive player in college—and Heisman hopeful has encountered a few bumps in the road, and it’s clear that Mathieu and his family are intent on taking care of this problem before making any decisions on his football future. CBS Sports’ Bruce Feldman had previously reported that the “Honey Badger” was seeking a transfer to McNeese State. Now, it’s unclear where he’ll end up in the fall. Mathieu is a player with unlimited potential who played a huge role in LSU’s ferocious defense last season. Mathieu still has an opportunity to have a bright football career at the next level, but ridding himself of the problems that will undoubtedly concern prospective NFL teams will be key. For now, Mathieu’s focus appears to be far away from the football field, which should pay dividends going forward.

Melky Cabrera, 2012 All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, who is currently second in both the majors and National League in batting, was issued a 50-game suspension toady for testing positive for testosterone. The news broke at 2:42 p.m. when the MLB sent out this tweet. Cabrera had this to say in a statement: “My positive test was the result of my use of a substance I should not have used. … I am deeply sorry for my mistake.” The 28-year-old outfielder was enjoying the best season of his career for the San Francisco Giants, who are currently tied atop the National League West with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cabrera was batting .346 with 11 home runs and 60 RBIs. He was second int he NL in batting average, trailing only the Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen.