Favre's retirement status unclear; Harvin participates in first OTAs

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell admitted Tuesday that he doesn't know if Brett Favre filed his retirement papers with the NFL last February after the quarterback said he planned to leave the game following one season with the New York Jets.

There has been mass speculation in recent weeks that Favre will return to play for the Vikings and much of the focus has centered on whether the partially torn biceps in his throwing arm will allow him to continue.

"I don't know if he officially retired," Goodell said during his news conference at the league's owners meetings in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The New York Daily News, citing a person with knowledge of the situation, reported on Feb. 11 that Favre filed retirement papers with the league. The move had no impact on the Jets, however. They had the right to place Favre on their reserve/retired list even if he never took that step. The Jets released Favre from that list last month, making him a free agent.

It's not unusual for players to wait an extended time before filing retirement papers, a process that enables them to receive severance pay. Favre also did not file his retirement papers after calling it quits in March 2008 following 16 seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Even if Favre did go through the process, though, all he has to do is ask the league for his reinstatement and he would be eligible to return.

Meanwhile, the Vikings are being represented at the owners meetings by Zygi Wilf, team president Mark Wilf and vice chairman Leonard Wilf. Zygi Wilf, who has not commented on the Favre situation, declined to provide any insight when asked about the topic by NFL Network reporter Scott Hanson. Hanson relayed that tidbit on his Twitter account.

The Vikings opened Organized Team Activities on Tuesday and, as expected, first-round pick Percy Harvin was on the field. That marked Harvin's first activity in a Vikings uniform. He missed the team's rookie minicamp this month after becoming sick during a layover in Atlanta and ending up in the hospital.

"It's a great feeling," Harvin told the Vikings website (www.vikings.com). "I think going through the combine and the rookie premier and all the workouts, you kind of get out of [football] shape and you just want to get back out on the field and get moving. So it was great to get out here and start catching."

These first four days of OTAs -- all are closed to the media, except for Thursday's session -- are for rookies, free agents and selected veterans. Among those participating in the OTAs on Tuesday were quarterbacks Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels, who at this point are expected to battle for the starting job. John David Booty, the Vikings' No. 3 quarterback, was at Winter Park as well.

Defensive end Kenechi Udeze, who missed last season while battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia, also attended.

Other players who were present, according to the team's website, were center John Sullivan; wide receivers Sidney Rice and Jaymar Johnson; defensive tackle Letroy Guion; linebacker Heath Farwell; cornerbacks Marcus McCauley and Benny Sapp; safeties Tyrell Johnson and Madieu Williams; punter Chris Kluwe, kicker Ryan Long- well and long snapper Cullen Loeffler.

• The Vikings will close the preseason at 7 p.m. on Sept. 4 against Dallas at the Metrodome. The date and time previously had not been announced. The team's other preseason games will be at Indianapolis at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 14; vs. Kansas City at 7 p.m. on Aug. 21; and at Houston at 7 p.m. on Aug. 31.