[Kansas City.com] The NFL’s recent legal losing streak seemingly shifted all leverage in its labor battle to the players. But the owners got the upper hand Friday when an appellate court granted their request for a temporary stay of U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson’s ruling that lifted their lockout of the league’s players.

The stay came just hours after players were allowed to return to team facilities to work out and meet with coaches Friday morning. The league was also expected to resume free agency, trades and roster moves Friday, signaling that football might start on time this fall.

Instead, the lockout returned. NFL senior vice president of public relations Greg Aiello told The Associated Press that teams “have been told that the prior lockout rules are reinstated effective immediately.”