American Football: Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre may not be able to add to his record run of 291 consecutive regular season starts this week, due to a stress fracture in his ankle.
An MRI scan has revealed the problem, as well as an avulsion fracture in Favre's heel bone. The latter occurs when a fragment of bone is torn away by a tendon or ligament.
Favre had arthroscopic surgery on his ankle in May and received injections in the joint after he finally decided to postpone his retirement for another year, but the Vikings coach Brad Childress has hinted a start against the New England Patriots on Sunday may be too much for the 20-year veteran.
"He's got to be able to do all the things that his position does," said Childress."You can't be a sitting duck out there. His competitive nature, I'm sure, will come into it. But a lot of times you've got to protect people from themselves."
The 41-year-old coped with the injury at the start of the season but hurt it again when he was tackled from behind while throwing one of three interceptions during the 28-24 defeat to his former team the Green Bay Packers at the weekend.