The NFL lockout is believed to be in its final days (or hours) and the first official step to end the lockout will be the players voting to approve the settlement. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, that vote will take place on Wednesday.
The NFLPA is debriefing both the lead and alternate player representatives from each team on the proposed new collective bargaining agreement. The lead reps for each team are in Washington at NFLPA headquarters. Those representatives not there are taking part in a conference call.
While it's more than just a formality at this point, the best guess is that the players will vote to approve the settlement. They'll need a majority vote and there will be some debate but if NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith recommends the deal, then the players should, too.
That would then put the ball in the owners' court to make their own vote on the deal on Thursday. The owners will need 24 of 32 votes to approve the deal.
It certainly sounds like the NFL lockout is coming to an end. The next big piece of news we're waiting to hear about is whether the players' vote approves the settlement.