Brett Favre's reinstatement to the NFL was held up again yesterday 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 yesterday 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 yesterday 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.

COLTS

HARRISON, MANNING WILL SIT OUT FAME GAME

Even with his strong recovery from surgery on both knees, Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison likely won't play tomorrow 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, Colts coach Tony Dungy said yesterday.

"We'll see what the doctors have to say, when they actually want him to go," he said.

An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Harrison injured his left knee early last season, causing him to miss 11 games. He also had surgery on his right knee during the offseason to clean out old scar tissue, but he has appeared to be rounding back into form since reporting to training camp last week.

"It's more a doctor's schedule," Dungy said. "He's right on schedule in terms of practicing and running. And when we want the live work (in a game), whether it will be (preseason) week three or week four, we'll see."

Quarterback Payton Manning (sore knee) is one of 12 Indianapolis players not expected to suit up for the Washington game.

HALL OF FAME

MONK, ZIMMERMAN TOP TALKS AMONG INDUCTEES

Art Monk and Gary Zimmerman spent most of their careers trying to stay in the background.

Good luck today when they're the feature attraction in Canton, Ohio.

The two quietest members of the six-man 2008 Pro Football Hall of Fame class are making a one-time exception to their self-imposed rule with induction speeches that will not be short on words — or perhaps tears.

"It's OK, it's kind of like a game," Monk said before yesterday's news conference with the six inductees. "You get some butterflies, but once you take that first hit, you're ready to go."

Both have warmed to this weekend's public speaking engagement, given the circumstances.

Zimmerman is the 12th Hall-of-Famer to play exclusively at offensive tackle, and it took Monk, who retired as the NFL's career receiving leader with 940 receptions, eight years to reserve his spot alongside the league's greatest players.

Some suggest the wait may have taken longer for these two because they rarely drew attention to themselves, preferring instead to let their performances speak volumes.

"I was always a shy and reserved person who just wanted to work hard and stay in the background," Monk said. "There's no need to talk when you're a good athlete."

Zimmerman stopped doing interviews for another reason.

He said yesterday that while he was playing in Minnesota, he told a reporter that the Vikings lost because neither the offense or defense played well enough to win. A headline the next morning implied Zimmerman had criticized the defense.

"Half of my teammates were mad at me, so I said it's better not to say anything," he said.

He took the same approach to Denver where he protected John Elway's blindside for five seasons and helped initiate the Broncos' tradition of offensive linemen not doing media interviews.

The other inductees are: Fred Dean (defensive end), who played 11 seasons with San Diego and San Francisco; Darrell Green (cornerback), 20 seasons with Washington; Emmitt Thomas (cornerback), 13 seasons with Kansas City, and Andre Tippett (linebacker), 10 seasons with New England.

PANTHERS

SMITH, LUCAS SENT HOME AFTER FIGHT IN PRACTICE

Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith was sent home from training camp yesterday 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 from Spartanburg, S.C., after the fight. Neither player was present for the team's second practice last night.

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.

"We're going to handle this matter internally," general manager Marty Hurney said.

RAVENS

LEAGUE SUSPENDS DB WASHINGTON FOR OPENER

Baltimore Ravens 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.

Washington is allowed to participate in all preseason practices and games until his suspension begins Aug. 30 and ends after the Ravens' Sept. 7 season-opener against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium.