Vikings coach Brad Childress did not give Brett Favre a deadline to make his decision on whether to play when he visited his quarterback in Mississippi last week.
But Childress said he has a general idea of how long Favre will need to get ready if he does -- as everyone expects -- return for his 20th season. Childress said Favre needs "two or three weeks" of camp to prepare.
"Close to the same period as last year," he said. Childress said Monday morning that he still doesn't know what Favre will do. It's highly unlikely that Favre will announce his decision while the team is in Mankato the first two weeks of camp. Given the 2-3 week timetable, it's possible Favre could return after the second preseason game Aug. 22 in San Francisco. That would give him 2-plus weeks before the season opener in New Orleans on Thursday, Sept. 9. Favre would get extended playing time in the third preseason game against Seattle on August 28 at Mall of America Field at the Metrodome. "Couple three weeks is probably what he needs," Childress said. "The fact that you play [the season opener] three days earlier kind of cuts the window. Usually we go from the fourth preseason game to [having] 10 days out where you get a couple extra works days or rest days or whatever."
Until Favre announces his decision, Childress said Tarvaris Jackson will get most of the reps with the first-team offense when training camp opens on Friday. He said veteran Sage Rosenfels will get some work with the first team too and that rookie Joe Webb will work with the third team.
