MINNEAPOLIS — Just when Brett Favre looked to finally be out, the Minnesota Vikings could be pulling him back in.

Citing an anonymous source "with direct knowledge of the discussions between the two parties," ESPN reported yesterday that Favre is scheduled to meet with Vikings coach Brad Childress later this week about a possible comeback.

Favre's agent, Bus Cook, did not immediately return a phone call to his Mississippi office left by The Associated Press.

Childress did not immediately return a message. A Vikings spokesman declined to comment on the report.

Both Favre and Cook have said this spring that Favre intends to stay retired. But Favre's statement after he was released by the New York Jets last week left the door open.

"At this time, I am retired and have no intention of returning to football," he said.

Those three little words — "At this time" — set off rampant speculation that he was indeed considering a second return to action.

Childress said last Friday he had been too busy to concentrate on Favre, but did acknowledge the subject would soon be broached.

"We talk about everything," Childress said then, "from what's going on in the United States on the front page today. ... We talk about everything, so yeah, I'm sure we'll talk about that."

COLTS

DE JOHNSON BACK

The Indianapolis Colts have re-signed defensive tackle Ed Johnson after they waived him last season following an arrest on a drug possession charge.

The Colts waived Johnson one day after the arrest in September. Now, the Colts hope the 6-foot-2, 296-pound run stopper has learned to take the team's rules seriously during the time away.

"We are giving Ed Johnson another opportunity to play for the Indianapolis Colts," coach Jim Caldwell said in a statement yesterday. "We dismissed Ed last year because he knowingly violated a team rule in the area of personal conduct. We consider every violation of a team rule or NFL policy on an individual case-by-case basis, and we evaluate a possible return to the team on that same basis."

SAINTS

KAPANUI CUT

The New Orleans Saints have cut two players who were arrested over the weekend.

Receiver Biren Ealy and tight end Kolomona Kapanui, a Kamehameha alum, were arrested early Sunday morning in River Ridge, La., by Jefferson Parish authorities, who booked the players with obscenity, disturbing the peace and lewd conduct.

The players' lawyer, Donald "Chick" Foret, says the players did nothing obscene and thought they were in a secluded area, late at night, when only one of them — Ealy — relieved himself behind a garage.

Kapanui, 25, spent part of last season on the Saints' practice squad. He began his pro career as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns, who released him during the 2008 preseason.

Meanwhile, the Saints signed three new players: Western Illinois running back Herb Donaldson, Kent State offensive tackle Augustus Parrish and Louisville receiver Chris Vaughn.

ELSEWHERE

Cardinals: Arizona has signed free agent tight end Dominique Byrd to a one-year contract. Terms were not disclosed. A third-round pick in the 2006 draft from USC by St. Louis, Byrd was released by the Rams in April 2008 and was out of football last season.

Lions: Larry Foote, who was released Monday by Pittsburgh, says he is close to agreeing to a one-year contract with Detroit. Foote said most of the terms of the deal were reached last night and he expected it to be completed this morning.

Patriots: New England has signed safety Brandon McGowan, who became an unrestricted free agent after four seasons with the Chicago Bears. McGowan missed most of the 2008 season with an ankle injury.