Although hurting, Favre may start against Bears

Brett Favre's career isn't quite over yet.

The Minnesota Vikings have been eliminated from playoff contention, but they still need someone to play quarterback for their final three games. Interim coach Leslie Frazier said the 41-year-old Favre is his choice - and he may be back in time for Monday night's game against Chicago.

That game, however, will be played at the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium because the Metrodome roof, which collapsed under the weight of heavy snow on Sunday morning, won't be fixed in time.

If Favre doesn't play this week, he could return on Dec. 26 when the Vikings visit the Eagles for a Sunday night game.

Favre was feeling better yesterday, according to Frazier, after his NFL-record streak of starting 297 straight regular-season games with him on the sideline during Minnesota's loss to the Giants on Monday night, which was held at Detroit's Ford Field because of the roof collapse.

Favre is nursing a sprained throwing shoulder and a numb hand, but an ultrasound on his neck and shoulder revealed no nerve damage, Frazier said.

For now, the Vikings (5-8) won't end Favre's season, and perhaps his storied career, by putting him on injured reserve.

"I don't see that as being part of the equation at this point," Frazier said. "It looks like there's a chance that we're going to be able to get him back at some point. Hopefully this week."

Frazier sounded more optimistic about Favre's availability for the NFC North Division-leading Bears (9-4) than he did about the status of backup Tarvaris Jackson, who started in loss to the Giants. Jackson left the game twice with an injury, the second time because of a turf toe problem that Frazier said has put his availability "in jeopardy" for this week.

* Denver rookie cornerback Perrish Cox could face up to life in prison if convicted of sexual-assault charges filed by prosecutors last week. A portion of the case unsealed by a Douglas County, Colo., judge shows the sexual-assault charges are Class 3 and Class 4 felonies, which carry a sentence of between 2 years to life in prison. They involve a helpless victim. Other details of the case remain sealed. The alleged offense occurred Sept. 6 and was reported Oct. 28. Cox, who played in the Broncos' loss to Arizona on Sunday, is free on $50,000 bail.

* Receiver Terrell Owens said Cincinnati's lousy season is the result of underchieving "from the top down," and he particularly pointed a finger at the coaches. Owens made the comments while hosting the "T.Ocho Show," on Versus with teammate Chad Ochocinco.

When asked about the team's 2-11 record, Owens responded: "You start with the owner, you start with the coaches" when assessing blame. He also said the players are only doing what the coaches allow them to do.

* Pittsburgh tight end Heath Miller passed his post-concussion neurological tests and will return to practice. Miller sustained the first concussion of his career Dec. 5 on a hit by Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain. McClain was not penalized, but later was fined $40,000 by the NFL.

* Seattle placed wide receiver Deon Butler on injured reserve and signed offensive lineman Paul Fanaika off Cleveland practice squad. Butler suffered a broken right leg in the Seahawks' loss to the San Francisco 49ers Sunday. Fanaika was a seventh-round pick of the Eagles in 2009.

* Washington cut the holder who mishandled the extra-point attempt in the one-point loss to Tampa Bay Sunday. The Redskins waived punter Hunter Smith and replaced him with Sam Paulescu, who takes over as both punter and holder.