National Football League

Favre has fractured ankle

Published Oct. 25, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre has two fractures in his left ankle as a result from Sunday night's loss at the Green Bay Packers, head coach Brad Childress confirmed Monday.

According to Childress, Favre has an avulsion fracture as well as a stress fracture in the ankle. Childress said Favre is wearing an ankle boot. He hasn't been ruled out for Sunday's game at the New England Patriots and he won't need surgery, the coach said during his weekly news conference.

Favre — who had offseason surgery on the ankle — has started 291 consecutive games, but this injury places that streak in serious jeopardy. Tarvaris Jackson would start if Favre can't play.

"He's got to be able to do all the things that his position does," Childress said. "You can't put a guy that's 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."

Favre, 41, limped throughout the second half of the loss to the Packers after his leg was caught underneath Packers linebacker Brad Jones, FOXSports.com senior NFL writer Alex Marvez reported.

After the game Favre needed to use both rails to go down three steps from the podium where his postgame news conference was held, according to Marvez.

"If I can play but not be effective, then it's not worth playing," Favre said Sunday. "I hope I use good judgment, so we'll see. I'm no spring chicken anymore. I don't heal as quickly. I know the heart's in the right place, though. I know I left it on the field. It's just disappointing that it didn't work our way."

Off the field, life hasn't been pleasant for Favre either. He is embroiled in a scandal involving former New York Jets sideline reporter Jenn Sterger. Favre allegedly sent lewd pictures of himself to Sterger when both were employed by the Jets in 2008.

The NFL is investigating the situation and FOXSports.com NFL insider Jay Glazer reported that Favre admitted to leaving voicemails for Sterger, but denied sending her any photos.

League spokesman Greg Aiello said Monday there was nothing to report about the investigation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.