Green Bay Packers' quarterback Brett Favre left Sunday’s 35-0 loss to the New England Patriots late in the second quarter due to an injury to his right (throwing) arm and didn’t return.
The injury isn’t believed to be serious, but Favre couldn’t go back in the game because he had trouble gripping the football. He was hit on his elbow and had numbness and tingling associated with a hit on the ulner nerve, which is more commonly known as the “funny bone.”
Coach Mike McCarthy said he did not know whether Favre would be able to play in the Packers’ Nov. 27 game at Seattle.
"He took a shot on the elbow," said McCarthy at his post-game press conference. "He was unable to gain strength in his hand as far as holding the football and controlling the football.
"As far as the future, how bad it is, I'd be speculating."
Backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers finished the game, but Rodgers was banged up, too. He appeared to have an injury to his left leg or left foot and was noticeably limping in the locker room. Neither Favre nor Rodgers spoke to reporters after the game.
Favre, making his 251st consecutive start including playoffs, was wrapped up low by Tully Banta-Cain and was on his way down when Tedy Bruschi hit Favre, forcing him down ******* his right arm and throwing shoulder with 1:41 left in the half.
Favre, who was on the injury report earlier in the week because of ankle and groin injuries, doubled over in immediate pain, grasping at his wrist and elbow.
He held the arm gingerly on the sideline as the training staff looked at him before he was carted off the field at halftime with the Patriots leading 21-0.
Favre did not immediately return when the Packers took the field in the second half, and the team said he was working on his throwing motion in the locker room.
When Favre emerged about a minute into the third quarter, he received a standing ovation, even though he was still holding his right arm as he walked to the sideline.
He practiced throwing on the sideline but did not return to the game. Aaron Rodgers took the field again when the Packers got the ball.
The three-time MVP left for good at the end of the third quarter, finishing 5-of-15 for 73 yards. It was the fewest completions in a start in his career.
Rodgers completed the game, going 4-of-12 for 32 yards.
The last time Favre was injured and did not return to a game was Oct. 3, 2004 against the New York Giants.
Favre sustained a concussion in the third quarter and missed two plays before returning to throw a touchdown pass to Javon Walker on fourth-and-5. Team doctors subsequently ruled him unable to play for the rest of that game, which the Packers lost 14-7.
