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Vikings QB Favre believes pulled groin will be OK vs. Lions

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The latest injury that Brett Favre must fight to maintain his NFL-record durability streak is a pulled groin muscle. Back from the Minnesota Vikings' bye week, the veteran quarterback believes he'll be fine.

Favre said he was hurt while rolling out during a practice drill two weeks ago and aggravated the injury during pregame warmups Nov. 1 at Green Bay. The Vikings didn't play last week, giving Favre extra time to heal.

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"It was a concern for the game," Favre said Wednesday. "I made it through. With a week's rest, I think I'll be fine, but I'm not going to make it a bigger issue than it is. It's kind of a new thing for me. To play 18 some-odd years and not have anything like that that probably worried me more than anything. But I think I'll be fine."

Favre said the injury bothered him during the Packers game but "not as bad" as he feared it might. He told Vikings coach Brad Childress, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to be ready in case he couldn't finish the game.

"I didn't want to have to go into every drive or leave the huddle and say, 'I have to play a little bit cautious this way,' or 'I hope I can get this handoff out there,'" Favre said.

Favre has seemed to relish the wounded warrior persona throughout his career, and he sure didn't appear affected by the injury in Green Bay. He threw four touchdown passes in Minnesota's 38-26 victory.

"I feel pretty good, mentally and physically," Favre said. "Not great, but I don't know too many guys that would say that."

Favre has been on Minnesota's injury report a few times this season for other body parts, but so far he has held up relatively well after having offseason surgery to fix a partially torn biceps in his throwing arm.

With four more games, Favre will pass former Vikings defensive lineman Jim Marshall and set the NFL record for a non-kicker with 283 consecutive regular-season games played.

"You have to have muscles to pull them," Favre said with a smirk. "Either that's a sign of old age or I'm developing muscles for the first time in my career."

Favre was listed as a limited participant in practice on the Vikings' latest injury report, citing both his hip and his groin. Before the bye, Childress said Favre's groin and hip issues were connected.

The Vikings (7-1) .

Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield's status is unclear for the game. For the first time since he hurt his right foot Oct. 18, Winfield was in full gear at the beginning of practice while reporters were allowed to watch. He wasn't present at the end.

"Just a matter of giving him more each day," Childress said.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press