The regular refs are back, and so is former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams -- sort of.

An NFL official said last week that permission was given to Williams to attend games as a fan, something he is expected to do for the first time Sunday since his indefinite suspension as a result of the Saints' bounty scandal, when the St. Louis Rams host the Seattle Seahawks.

Another league source told ESPN NFL Insider Ed Werder that Williams is strictly forbidden to interact with the team for which he was supposed to be defensive coordinator. Williams requested permission to attend this game because he was invited by a friend, the source said.

Whereas the NFL would not allow Saints coach Sean Payton to attend his team's Hall of Fame game this summer or any game thereafter during his suspension, the NFL told Williams that he was barred from employment in the NFL, allowing him to do what he wants.

Williams' son Blake coaches the Rams' linebackers.

ESPN NFL Insider Ed Werder contributed to this report.