FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – With barely a sign of a limp, Brett Favre extended his record consecutive starts streak to 292 games Sunday despite two fractures in his left foot.
Favre injured his ankle and heel in last week's loss at Green Bay. But after a week of treatment and even some practice time Friday, he was in the starting lineup Sunday against the New England Patriots.
And early in the second quarter, he handed off to Adrian Peterson for a 1-yard dive that capped a 76-yard touchdown drive. Favre looked fine while hitting Percy Harvin for 21 yards on the drive.
Moments before the TD, Favre took a hit to the helmet by Patriots linebacker Gary Guyton that helped set up the score. He got up slowly, checking his head to see if there was any blood, then called the next play.
Favre completed his first four passes for 40 yards.
The 41-year-old Favre has both a stress fracture and an avulsion fracture in the foot. The avulsion fracture in the heel bone is where a fragment has been torn away by a tendon or ligament.
He stood with a ski cap on his head watching New England's opening series, then picked up his helmet and headed onto the field for yet another start. This one was preceded by days of intrigue. As usual, though, Favre was behind center when his team took its first offensive snaps.
He completed two short passes on Minnesota's first drive, which ended with a punt. Favre showed no signs of being hampered during that eight-play series.
The coaching staff did not appear to be watching Favre more closely than normal during warmups. At one point, coach Brad Childress stood with team owner Ziggy Wilf about 10 yards from Favre, chatting while casually observing their quarterback's throws.
Controversy surrounded Favre all week, particularly after Childress said he would consider starting Tarvaris Jackson if Favre was hobbled. Favre also missed practice while wearing a walking boot on the foot.
But the resilient Favre, who holds virtually every NFL passing record, said Thursday people should not be surprised if he started.
The Vikings (2-4) can't afford to fall further behind in the NFC North, and Favre has taken every snap at quarterback this season. Of course, he wasn't fighting a balky foot before last weekend; he has been bothered by right elbow tendinitis, however.
There's more to Favre's headline-grabbing persona this season, too. The website Deadspin reported weeks ago that Favre sent lewd photos and inappropriate text messages to a New York Jets game hostess in 2008 when Favre played for the team. The NFL is investigating and the woman, Jenn Sterger, has not yet spoken to league investigators, although her manager and her lawyer both have said she might do so soon.
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