GREEN BAY, Wis. — There was no parade, no motorcade, and no photo opportunity — hardly the way you'd expect Brett Favre to return to the Green Bay Packers after spending most of the past month as the league's longest-running daytime drama.

The team announced Monday that Favre had been reinstated and returned to the Packers' active roster, as was expected. To make room for Favre, the team placed cornerback Condrew Allen on injured reserve with a knee injury.

Coach Mike McCarthy had scheduled a news conference for 9:15 p.m. to talk about his plans for Favre. But the news conference was rescheduled for sometime today because McCarthy was still meeting with Favre.

Both Favre and McCarthy drove out a back gate at Lambeau at 12:22 a.m.

Meanwhile, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ruled that he found no violations of league policy in the Packers' tampering complaint against Minnesota Vikings.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — A subdued Steve Smith apologized to his Carolina Panthers' teammates Monday, coaches and fans, three days after he punched teammate Ken Lucas at practice, leaving the starting cornerback with a broken nose that will require surgery.Smith, who was suspended without pay for the first two regular-season games, spoke to reporters for about four minutes after his first practice with the team since the incident. He did not answer questions.Lucas also returned to the team with a black left eye and swelling around his nose. While he said he accepted Smith's apology, Lucas said he'll probably be sidelined two to three weeks.

BEIJING — The International Olympic Committee is continuing to consider whether to eliminate international torch relays in the wake of the protests which disrupted the Beijing flame's global tour.IOC president Jacques Rogge said today the committee will always retain its tradition of lighting the Olympic flame in Ancient Olympia and starting the torch relay in Greece.However, he reiterated the IOC might do away with future global relays and limit the flame processions to domestic routes within the Olympic host countries.

MONTE CARLO, Monaco —Usain Bolt's 100-meter record was ratified Monday by the International Association of Athletics Federations.The Jamaican sprinter ran the 100 in 9.72 seconds May 31 in New York, breaking Asafa Powell's previous mark of 9.74.Bolt intends to compete in both the 100 and 200 at the Beijing Olympics, which open Friday. Powell will also be running in the 100, along with world champion Tyson Gay.