Brett Favre appears to have every intention of starting at quarterback for the Vikings on Sunday in New England, despite having a stress fracture in his left ankle and another fracture in the same heel.

Vikings coach Brad Childress isn't so sure.

Favre was held out of practice again on Thursday, meaning if he doesn't practice Friday he will go into the game cold.

According to an NFL source, Childress is leaning toward having Tarvaris Jackson open Sunday at quarterback -- a move that would end Favre's NFL-record streak of 291 consecutive starts. Favre, who has played through numerous injuries during his 20-year NFL career, has "confided" in some close to him he's not convinced Childress will let him play against New England, the NFL Network also reported on Thursday night.

Both the quarterback and coach were couching their words this week after a Tuesday meeting where Favre said he wanted to play and Childress, who said the streak won't factor into his decision, made no promises.

"He's doing a little better every day," Childress said Thursday. "Whether it's good enough to play in an NFL football game remains to be seen. Just taking it a day at a time."

Favre, 41,ditched the walking boot he wore Wednesday and instead had a wrap on his ankle when he entered the Vikings locker room at Winter Park on Thursday.

Favre was looking to be fitted with a size-15 shoe for his left foot -- he ordinarily wears a size-14 -- so he could have a splint or other protection placed in the shoe that would enable him to take the field.

Though he walked with a noticeable limp, Favre is hoping to do some on-field work Friday. "I wouldn't put anything past me to be honest with you," he said about possibly practicing Friday. If Favre is held back from that session, it will increase the odds that Jackson is the choice, in part because he will have taken all the first-team snaps.

"We'll see," Childress said when asked if Favre needed to do some work on Friday.

While the injury certainly would factor into the decision, Childress also has been upset with Favre's play this season. Favre has 14 turnovers, including 10 interceptions, during the Vikings' 2-4 start. Childress caused renewed discussion of his icy relationship with the future Hall of Fame quarterback when he expressed displeasure with Favre's play after Sunday's loss at Green Bay and again on Monday.