Source: Favre to ESPN: He May Have a Cracked Rib

 August 31, 2009

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minnesota Viking’s Quarterback, Brett Favre told ESPN today that he may have a cracked rib. Stating that he feels pain when he takes deep breaths, Favre has no plans to wear extra padding for Monday night's game against Houston.

The first news that came out of this was from Michelle Tafoya, an ESPN reporter who was with the crew at Winter Park Saturday for a production meeting. Brett Favre commented that he thought he might have a cracked rib to Tafoya from the hit he took during his pre-season debut with the Kansas City Chiefs on August 21, 2009.

During his final play of the two-series debut, Favre, facing a blitz, took a direct hit from linebacker Corey Mays. Favre was slow to get up and the play ended his field time in that preseason game. So far, an official diagnosis or statement has not been released from the team to confirm the comment or Favre's thoughts of having a rib injury.

After coming out of retirement August 17th and missing the early summer OTA's and training camp in July, Favre could also be out of shape and experiencing what many know as a "side ache". Favre said taking a deep breath causes discomfort. What is not known is whether the discomfort is a cracked rib or a result of having a summer of leisure and switching gears to rigorus conditioning regimine.

In any event, the new Vikings Quarterback has no plans to start wearing protective padding for his ribs in the Monday night game against Houston. Number 4 is expected to play the entire first half and, if all goes well, perhaps into the third quarter at Houston tonight. 

If a rib injury does exist, and if a rotator cuff issue exists, Favre will face a an even bigger challenge having the successful season the Minnesota franchise and fans already expect to have. The preseason game against the Houston Texans should be the tell-all of fact and fiction from this latest report.

Dan Basil - Contributing Field Correspondent, The Bleacher Report