Finally, a text message we can confirm.
NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci said Saturday that he texted Brett Favre for an update on the quarterback's possible return this season. Unfortuntely for the Minnesota Vikings, not much has changed.
"His arm feels great," said Mariucci, who was Favre's quarterback coach in Green Bay. "His conditioning is good, but he hasn't run much without pain in his ankle. It still gives him pain, and it needs to be better before he reports."
Mariucci said earlier in the week that he didn't believe even the quarterback knew what he will do.
Favre's agent, Bus Cook, said Wednesday that the 40-year-old signal-caller will play if his surgically repaired ankle is healthy enough. That news came less than 24 hours after a Vikings player said Favre was texting teammates and officials in the organization to say he was planning to retire after 19 NFL seasons.
Tavaris Jackson has taken most of the snaps with the starting offense during training camp, while Sage Rosenfels, a 10-year NFL veteran, is serving as the No. 2 quarterback. Rosenfels was brought in last offseason to compete with Jackson for the starting job until Favre joined the team in mid-August and took over.
Another of Minnesota's missing offensive weapons, wide receiver Percy Harvin, is expected to rejoin the team when practices resume Monday, coach Brad Childress said. Harvin missed this week's practices following his grandmother's death.
Also, All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson continued to increase his participation with the first-team offense after missing most of the week with tightness in his left hamstring.
Peterson described what happened to him for the first time since the injury occurred a week ago.
"I basically hit the corner with a nice little spring, and then I made an abrupt stop," Peterson said. "If you know anything about running, that's something you just don't do as a runner. I made that one mistake, and it backfired on me. But I'm feeling good, and I'll be ready to roll Monday."
Notes: Starting RG Anthony Herrera left Saturday's full-pads practice in discomfort because of what Childress called back spasms. Starting C John Sullivan (right calf) and backup RBs Darius Reynaud (left ankle) and Naufahu Tahi (right calf) were held out again for another day. TE Visanthe Shiancoe didn't participate in the evening workout, but the team hasn't yet disclosed an injury for him. ... Backup CB Benny Sapp was back on the field after missing the whole week following a bout with dehydration.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
