GREEN BAY -- While Brett Favre was continuing his I-might-not-stay-retired hint-a-thon with an appearance on ``The Late Show David Letterman'' Thursday night on CBS and in an ESPN interview that aired Friday, the Green Bay Packers took another step away from the legendary quarterback and toward the future by placing him on the NFL's reserve/retired list.

 The move, along with the release of offensive linemen Tony Palmer, Chris Patrick and Cliff Washburn, clears four roster spots for the Packers, who now have 68 players under contract and have room to sign 12 undrafted free agents after this weekend's NFL draft wraps up on Sunday. It also clears $11.4 million of salary-cap room for the Packers, who have been waiting for Favre to file his retirement papers since news of his decision to retire broke on March 4 and he made the announcement himself at a tearful news conference two days later.

 Packers general manager Ted Thompson did not return a message Friday afternoon, but he did release a statement through the team's public-relations department downplaying the significance of the move.

 "Today's moves are procedural in nature," Thompson said in the statement. "Both (head coach) Mike McCarthy and I have spoken to Brett over the past several days.  Brett knew this change in his roster status was coming, and he fully understood our need to make the move in advance of the NFL Draft.

 "The NFL does not require a letter for a player to be placed in a reserve/retired status.  Brett has announced his retirement publicly and this is simply a personnel transaction made to develop a roster opportunity for the Packers."

 Placing Favre on the list doesn't mean he can't change his mind and play again. He would have to petition commissioner Roger Goodell to return.