Stress fracture in ankle may end Favre's streak

A stress fracture in Brett Favre's left ankle could end the 41-year-old quarterback's record streak at 291 starts.

Vikings coach Brad Childress said Monday that an MRI revealed the fracture and an "avulsion" fracture in the heel bone. An avulsion fracture occurs when a fragment of bone is torn away by a tendon or ligament.

Favre had arthroscopic surgery on the ankle in May. It has bothered him this fall, and he hurt it in Sunday night's 28-24 loss at Green Bay.

Favre was limping during the game and walking gingerly afterward, and Childress said he was wearing a walking boot Monday. He refused to rule Favre out of Sunday's game at New England, but he also insisted that the streak won't influence the decision on whether to play him.

The Vikings (2-4) are struggling to find the groove they had with Favre last season, which ended in the NFC title game. His turnover count is 14, including 10 interceptions.

After Sunday's game, Favre said he wouldn't put his streak ahead of common sense.

"If I can play but not be effective, then it's not worth playing," Favre said. "I hope I use good judgment, so we'll see. I'm no spring chicken anymore. I don't heal as quickly."

Praise for clean play

A week after drawing heavy fines for illegal hits, James Harrison and Brandon Meriweather were praised by the NFL for clean play. Ray Anderson, executive vice president of football operations, said Meriweather and Harrison "heeded our emphasis" on eliminating fouls. There were no penalties for hits to defenseless players in Sunday's 13 games.

Around the leagueThe Bucs released tight end Jerramy Stevens, who on Friday was charged with possession of marijuana . . . Packers coach Mike McCarthy said linebacker Brady Poppinga (knee) and rookie defensive lineman Mike Neal (shoulder) are expected to have season-ending surgery.