All signs point to Brett Favre starting Sunday for the Minnesota Vikings, despite fractures in his left ankle and heel.
Favre has yet to be told he is no longer the starting quarterback, according to a league source, and Vikings coach Brad Childress hasn't made any new announcements to the team about a change entering the game against the New England Patriots.
Childress said Friday he "probably will" wait until the last hours before kickoff to decide whether or not Favre will start. Childress said his decision will be based on, "Can he protect himself? And what gives us the best chance to win?"
Favre was listed questionable on the injury report Friday, a status that means he has a 50-50 chance of playing in the game.
Favre wore a walking boot on his left foot during the first three days of the week and didn't practice until Friday, when he only participated on a limited basis. He is heading into Sunday assuming that he is still the starter, and barring some setback, that is highly likely to be the case.
According to ESPN, Favre said in a telephone interview Saturday that his injuries have healed significantly and he plans to start, which would extend his NFL-record streak of consecutive regular-season starts to 292 games.
Favre was injured during a loss to the Green Bay Packers last weekend. He said Wednesday that he wanted to play to try and help the Vikings (2-4) turn things around after a slow start to the season.
The Associated Press left messages for the Vikings and Childress seeking comment. The team was on its way to Boston on Saturday.
Complicating Childress's decision is the historical significance of Favre's streak and the 41-year-old's poor play this season. His 68.0 passer rating is 30th in the league, and he has committed 14 turnovers in the first six games.
Childress said all week that Favre's streak wouldn't play a role in his decision and it would come down to what is best for the team. If Favre cannot play, Tarvaris Jackson will make his first start since a playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles after the 2008 season.
This all comes as the NFL continues an investigation into allegations that Favre sent inappropriate messages and photos to a female New York Jets employee when both worked for the team in 2008.
The manager for the woman, Jenn Sterger, said Saturday that a meeting "is likely, but wouldn't be before the end of next week."
Sterger is the former sideline personality who, according to a report from the website Deadspin, allegedly was sent the text messages and photos by Favre when he was with the Jets in 2008.
Sterger has yet to cooperate with league officials.
Favre met with NFL vice president for security Milt Ahlerich on Oct. 19 to discuss the allegations. The quarterback has repeatedly declined to comment on the investigation, calling it "a league issue."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
