subject: Bret Favre Is Back? [print this page] Bret Favre Is Back? Bret Favre Is Back?
Favre was on the field for drills Friday, with limited participation in practice for the first time this week. He wore a wrap on his left ankle, which has two fractures that have threatened his NFL-record streak of 291 straight games started.If he doesn't, Tarvaris Jackson will take over.
''I'm not losing any sleep over it. It will all sort itself out,'' Childress said.
Favre has both a stress fracture and an avulsion fracture in the foot, which was hurt in last Sunday's loss at Green Bay. He threw a few easy passes in warmups, but he didn't roll out or take any deep dropbacks while reporters were allowed to watch.
Childress said Favre took the field before the rest of the team Friday ''so he could move around a little bit,'' and the coach said Favre's progress was ''encouraging.'' Childress said he'll continue to be evaluated throughout the weekend.
Favre walked in and out of the locker room briefly Friday without speaking to reporters, but Thursday he said he ''wouldn't put anything past me'' in regard to being ready to play.
Childress was a little tense while he fielded questions about Favre's status Friday afternoon, keeping his answers short and snappy:
How would you assess his mobility?
''I'm not giving any scouting reports. Better than an iron deer on the lawn.''
Was he wearing an orthotic in his shoe?
''I'm not a podiatrist. I couldn't comment on that.''
Will you have another conversation this weekend with him about how he's feeling?
''I'll speak with him, yeah, plenty. It's not like going to a confessional once a week, that I have to go to church to speak to him. He's in and around the building all the time. So the dialogue is generally ongoing. I know people view that as being called to the principal's office, when you sit in my office, but we had a pretty good conversation sitting right out here today for a long time.''
Coach Brad Childress said he ''probably will'' wait until the last hours before kickoff to decide. He didn't directly answer a question if he'll base the decision on Favre's recent rough performances or strictly on his health. Earlier this week, Childress said he won't consider the streak when he decides.
''Can he protect himself? And what gives us the best chance to win?'' Childress said in response to a question about whether he wants Favre to start.
