Quarterback Brett Favre was not on the field as the Vikings began practice Thursday and will miss a second consecutive day because of a stress fracture in his left ankle and a broken left heel.
Favre, however, still feels he can play on Sunday and was walking in the locker room before Thursday's practice without a walking boot. There is a chance Favre could try to do some work in Friday's practice wearing a size-15 shoe on his left foot. Favre likely will want to see how a bigger shoe -- he ordinarily wears a size-14 -- will feel, especially because it almost certainly will have some added stability to protect his ankle.
Left guard Steve Hutchinson, meanwhile, returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday because of a quadriceps injury. Cornerback Lito Sheppard, who broke a finger on his right hand on Oct. 17 against Dallas, likely will be limited again Thursday. Sheppard is wearing a wrap on his hand. It's uncertain if he will be able to play Sunday.
