Minnesota head coach Brad Childress confirmed that Favre will likely play a series or two at San Francisco before giving way to backup Tavaris Jackson, Sage Rosenfels and possibly Joe Webb. Rosenfels was the star in a 28-7 over the St. Louis Rams last week, completing 23-of-34 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns. However, none of them will have wide receivers Sidney Rice (hip injury) or Percy Harvin (migraines) to throw to against the 49ers.
The Vikings will also be without starting center John Sullivan, who is still dealing with a calf injury that he originally suffered on July 31. Starting running back Adrian Peterson (hamstring) and middle linebacker E.J. Henderson (leg) are expected to play most of the first quarter though after missing the win over the Rams.
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The 49ers realize everybody will be talking about Favre on Sunday and plan on blitzing him for the limited time he is in the game to test his surgically repaired ankle. While that is their plan on defense, the offense will be short-handed playing without tight end Vernon Davis (knee), wide receiver Michael Crabtree (neck) and running back Frank Gore (rest).
San Francisco signed veteran RB Brian Westbrook on Monday, and he could see some playing time even though head coach Mike Singletary has ruled him a game-time decision. Westbrook figures to battle Anthony Dixon for the backup job behind Gore after the rookie carried the ball 21 times for 103 yards and scored a touchdown in a 37-17 rout of the Indianapolis Colts last week. Glen Coffee was expected to be the backup before he abruptly retired two weeks ago.
Singletary also confirmed second-year player Nate Davis will either immediately follow starter Alex Smith in the quarterback rotation or play right after a brief appearance from backup David Carr so he can see how Davis performs against Minnesota’s second-team defense. Carr and Davis combined to complete 14-of-17 passes for 182 yards and one touchdown at Indy after Smith was ineffective, connecting on 3-of-9 for 37 yards with an interception.
The 49ers and Vikings last met in Week 3 of the regular season a year ago, with Favre completing a 32-yard touchdown pass to Greg Lewis in the final seconds of a thrilling 27-24 come-from-behind victory. San Francisco led 14-13 at halftime and 17-13 in the third quarter before a 101-yard kickoff return by Harvin gave Minnesota the momentum back. Former 49ers QB Shaun Hill then connected with Davis on a 20-yard touchdown pass with 8:12 remaining before the dramatic ending won the game for the Vikings. San Francisco had done a solid job defensively, holding Peterson to 85 yards, picking off Favre once and sacking him twice.
