Favre expecting mixed reviews

Brett Favre knows there are Packers fans and Brett Favre fans, as well as Favre haters. He figures there will be a mixed reaction to his return to Lambeau Field Sunday afternoon.

As Brett Favre prepares to play his first game in Lambeau Field as a visitor on Sunday, the quarterback knows much of the reception won’t be positive.

Favre is now a member of the archrival Vikings and his bitter divorce from the Packers organization has affected how many fans either feel about him or the team.

So what does Favre expect when he returns to the place where he built a Hall of Fame resume over 16 seasons?

“Packers fans, as you know, are like no other,” Favre said. “If you’re a true Packer fan, you want the Packers to win. If you’re a Brett Favre fan, then this week obviously you don’t want me to win. But for the most part, (it’s), ‘Hey, hope this guy does well but hope the Packers go all the way.’

“Now the people that have jumped ship or whatever completely, what can I do? And I’m not going to concern myself with it. We have gotten a lot of letters and responses from people, not just this year but the last couple of years, that are very supportive, still very supportive of the Packers but that I call true fans. ... There was always Brett Favre haters out there and that will never change. I really truly don’t think about it that much.”

Favre already has had the experience of going against the Packers for the first time, leading Minnesota to a 30-23 victory in a Monday night game on Oct. 5 at the Metrodome. He completed 24 of 31 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns that night and earned NFC offensive player of the week honors.

Favre said he got the personal aspect of playing his former team out of the way that night, but there is still going to be great interest to see what happens in his return to Lambeau Field.

“I’m well aware of the stuff that goes along with it, but I can’t let that affect me or creep into our team,” said Favre, who will take the Vikings into the bye with a 7-1 record if they win. “We have to focus on the job at hand.

“What’s been done there in the past from an individual standpoint and from the team standpoint once again speaks for itself. I don’t have anything to prove to anyone, except helping this football team get to where we want to be. That’s it. Hopefully, I can do that.”

NOTES

WR Bernard Berrian was limited Thursday after not practicing Wednesday because of a hamstring injury. His availability for Sunday’s game could be in question. He did do some light running during practice.

LB E.J. Henderson was limited Thursday after not practicing Wednesday because of a knee injury. It’s not known if he’s in jeopardy of missing a game. He did some light running on Wednesday.

CB Antoine Winfield did not practice Wednesday or Thursday because of a foot injury and is expected to miss a second consecutive game.

WR Percy Harvin did not practice Thursday because of an illness.

DT Jimmy Kennedy did not practice Wednesday because of a non-football related injury, but was back on Thursday.

QB Brett Favre was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday because of a hip issue but he’s expected to be fine.

LB Jasper Brinkley was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday because of a hamstring injury.

LB Ben Leber was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday because of a calf injury.

CB Karl Paymah was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday because of a quadriceps injury.

WR Darius Reynaud was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday because of a hamstring injury.

FB Naufahu Tahi was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday because of a knee injury.