Did the NFL lockout just end?

Maybe. A judge ordered NFL owners to lift the lockout today.

In her ruling Monday, U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson said the decision by the players to disband their union meant the case no longer came under federal labor law that prohibits injunctions, as claimed by the owners.

Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and seven other players filed the lawsuit on behalf of other current and eligible NFL players against the league to halt the lockout, which could affect the start of the 2011-12 season scheduled for September 8.

The players also want a future trial to determine if the NFL lockout is in violation of federal antitrust laws.

The owners are appealing, but until there’s a ruling on that, what happens at NFL team facilities? Some players plan to show up for work tomorrow morning, others are taking a wait and see attitude. And given the timing, with the draft set for the end of this month, it’s possible that free agency, transfers and the draft could hit at the same time. A ruling on the owners’ appeal could come as early as tomorrow.