NFL replacement officials scheduled through first five weeks of season

The NFL has reportedly scheduled replacement officials to work for the first five weeks of the NFL season. (Larry French/Getty Images)

Despite a rather woeful first official week from the NFL's replacement referees, ESPN.com's Adam Schefter reported Monday that the referee lockout isn't on track to end anytime soon.

With no resolution to talks between the NFL and its locked-out referees in sight, the league has devised a schedule for replacement referees through the first five weeks of the season.

The news comes on the heels of increased scrutiny that has been placed on the replacement officials in Week 1. FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reported Sunday that the NFL Players Association sent a letter to the NFL requesting the return of the officials.

Meanwhile, Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams slammed the replacement refs, saying he was the victim of non-calls all game in the Bills' loss to the Jets on Sunday.

“It’s not something that’s really going to dictate something, but what are you going to do about it? You’re getting off the ball and getting punched in the face, literally, not an accident, just about every other time,” Williams said, according to The Buffalo News. That’s a penalty. Unless they changed it with the new CBA or something, but last time I checked it was a penalty.”

The officials also mistakenly awarded Seattle an extra timeout late in the fourth quarter, which didn't end up affecting the outcome of the Seahawks' loss to the Arizona Cardinals.