Vikings Upgrade Favre To 'Questionable'
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- So maybe Brett Favre isn't quite done yet.
The Vikings upgraded Favre to questionable for Monday night's game against the Chicago Bears, meaning the 41-year-old quarterback could be under center at snowy TCF Bank Stadium on what's expected to be a slippery, rock-hard surface.
The team announced on its website that Favre's status was changed from "out" to "questionable," and said he will throw about two hours before kickoff to test his sprained right shoulder. He missed last week's game against the Giants, ending his NFL record streak of consecutive starts at 297.
Team officials informed the NFL and the Bears on Monday morning that Favre was feeling better and would try to play.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said there is nothing in the rules that prevents from the Vikings, or any other team, from changing a player's injury report designation.
"If a player's medical status changes during the course of the week, the club must update his playing status accordingly prior to the game," Aiello said. "That is what the Vikings did when Brett's status changed today."
Favre has not thrown a pass in two weeks, ever since he was blindsided by Bills linebacker Arthur Moats and drilled into the turf on Dec. 5.
Favre watched practice again all week leading up to the game against the Bears and was declared out, rather than doubtful, on Saturday. Rookie Joe Webb was expected to get the start, and the team signed veteran Patrick Ramsey as an insurance policy after placing No. 2 backup Tarvaris Jackson on injured reserve.
But, it's Favre and things can change.
"Brett Favre attempted to throw the football two days ago and was unable to, due to pain in the SC joint and residual numbness from a brachial plexus injury," Vikings head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman said Monday in a statement issued by the team. "He declared himself out at that time. He woke up this morning feeling much improved. His symptoms and function have improved dramatically over the past 24 hours.
"In fairness to him and his team, he would like to be given the opportunity to play tonight if physically able."
The Vikings and Bears are playing at the University of Minnesota's outdoor stadium because the Metrodome's roof collapsed last weekend after a heavy snowstorm. The roof's failure caused the Vikings-Giants game to be moved to Detroit, but the university was able to get its two-year-old stadium ready to host the Bears.
Snow started steadily falling in the Twin Cities on Monday afternoon and forecasts called for wind-chill temperatures well below zero by game time, conditions that Favre got to know well during 16 years with the Green Bay Packers.
The Vikings also placed left guard Steve Hutchinson on injured reserve with a broken right thumb, ending his season, and signed quarterback R.J. Archer from the practice squad.
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