MINNEAPOLIS -- One day after a federal judge ended a 45-day lockout, small groups of players showed up at team facilities Tuesday -- let inside but told they would not be allowed to work out on the same day the judge who lifted the lockout said she will take at least until Wednesday to consider whether she should put her order on hold.

There was an exception Tuesday afternoon, however, as Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty worked out in the team's weight room and spoke to head coach Tom Coughlin and other staff members.

"Got a chance to get a good workout in," Canty said. "I am going to come back as long as the door is open. There was no tension here. Coaches are excited to have guys back in the building."

The coaches told Canty to return Wednesday, but the Giants announced later on Tuesday that the team will not allow players to work out at the facility on Wednesday should they show up.

Most players weren't as fortunate and left in a matter of minutes after arriving on a strange day with more questions than answers.

The league issued a statement that called for players to be "treated with courtesy and respect" if they show up. But the NFL said it needs "a few days to sort this out" before "football activities" can take place.

League operations were left in limbo for at least another day, too. U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson said she wouldn't rule on the NFL's request for a stay of her order until at least Wednesday, so she can hear from players -- even as attorneys for the players asked her for clarification of her order.

The players are asking Nelson to clarify what it means when she says the lockout is enjoined, according to the judge's docket. The NFLPA is trying to force the league to impose working rules or get the year started without rules.

Nelson ordered the owners to respond by 6 p.m. ET Wednesday.

In an appearance on ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" on Tuesday, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said the NFL is ultimately hurting the fans by not letting players get full use of their team's facilities.

"To be in a state where the National Football League is allowing this kind of chaos to occur ... I'm not sure it's a good day for football in the long run," he said.