National Football League

Vikings coach Brad Childress says allegations against Brett Favre aren't a distraction

Published Oct. 10, 2010 10:14 p.m. ET

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Brett Favre and coach Brad Childress have discussed the allegations surrounding the Vikings quarterback that have spurred an NFL investigation amid reports of messages and inappropriate pictures sent to a former Jets employee.

Deadspin.com reported Thursday that Favre left two voicemails and sent racy pictures to Jenn Sterger while playing for the Jets in 2008. The NFL confirmed its internal investigation Friday.

Childress said the team is prepared to deal with the situation.

"It's not a distraction to us at all. We just don't let it be," Childress said "We address it, we talk about it, and then we're done with it."

Favre, who declined comment on the report Thursday, was unavailable for comment Saturday.

Childress mentioned Favre's situation briefly in a team meeting this week, according to two Vikings players. Childress said he doesn't know how to categorize the report that illustrates the fast-paced world of the Internet.

"We just talk about what's out there, look it right in the eye, deal with it to the extent we can," Childress said. "It doesn't affect anyone else in this locker room but Brett Favre."

Favre is dealing with on-field issues, too, because of mild inflammation in his right throwing elbow.

Childress said Favre received a magnetic resonance imaging exam on the elbow this week, and the team is monitoring his practice reps. Favre is listed as probable for Monday night's game against the Jets.

"It was not an issue before we went on the bye; we worked pretty good on Monday and Tuesday out here," Childress said. "It flares up every now and then. MRI says he has a little inflammation. You manage it. You kind of let his body talk to him. He takes turns that he needs to take on specific plays he needs to take them. Not a lot different than last year."

Distraught rookie: When cornerback Chris Cook found out this week that he had suffered a second meniscus tear in less than two months, he almost flipped out.

"I talked with my mom for like two hours that day," Cook said. "My head was messed up."

Cook, who missed the season's first two games after suffering a meniscus tear in his right knee, tore his left side slightly against the Lions on Sept. 26 but didn't find out until after Monday's practice this week. The discovery prompted surgery.

Despite the setback, Cook is optimistic. While he used crutches for five to six days the first time around, he was off them in three days this time.

"I really feel good about the progress," Cook said. "This was different than the other one. It's not as severe as the first one. It was a smaller tear."

Cook played 20-plus snaps against the Lions and said he didn't feel the tear when it happened.

The Vikings enter the Jets game with four corners -- starters Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin, and backups Lito Sheppard and Asher Allen. Either Sheppard or Allen will play in the Vikings' nickel package.

The resurgence of Griffin helps soften the loss of Cook. After tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in January, Griffin played 64 snaps in his return against the Lions.

Other injury news: Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (hamstring) is listed as probable after practicing the past three days in a limited capacity. Shiancoe leads the team with 169 receiving yards.

Center John Sullivan (calf) is questionable, and the team will take him to New York in case he's ready.

"We need to roll all of those guys, just because we don't know what's going to occur," Childress said. "He's improving."

The Vikings feel confident in Ryan Cook, the backup center who played against the Lions. He'll likely get the start.

The Jets' injury report was filled with star players, but most are expected to play.

Cornerback Darrelle Revis (hamstring), linebacker Calvin Pace (foot), defensive end Shaun Ellis (knee), center Nick Mangold (shoulder), running back John Connor (neck) and tackle Wayne Hunter (shin) are listed as probable.

Linebacker Jason Taylor (elbow), guard Brandon Moore (hamstring) and linebacker Jamaal Westerman (ankle) are questionable.

Not afraid: If there's one player unfazed by the Jets' "Hard Knocks" persona, it's Vikings veteran defensive tackle Pat Williams.

The Jets' popularity soared after HBO's "Hard Knocks" reality program, which showcased an unapologetic coach Rex Ryan and a loose atmosphere in the locker room.

"I ain't worried about no TV," Williams said. "(TV) can't make nobody tough."

What about the Jets' running game, ranked fourth in the league behind LaDainian Tomlinson's 341 yards?

"We ain't worried about LT," Williams said. "We ain't worried about no back."

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