Brett Favre has been informed he requires surgery on his left ankle to play the upcoming season for the Minnesota Vikings, which leaves his return in doubt. Favre told ESPN the ankle injury that he suffered three months ago in the NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints continues to be swollen and painful. That prompted tests to determine why healing had not occurred and Favre sent the results of those scans to orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, who told the quarterback his opinion that surgery is unavoidable. "We have spoken,'' Favre said in an e-mail. "To play again, I would need the surgery, as I suspected. This decision would be easy if not for my teammates and the fans and the entire Vikings staff. One year truly felt like 10 -- much like Green Bay for many years. That's what I was missing in my heart I suppose, a sense of belonging.''

Brett Favre is still healing up from the 2009 season and news surfaced on Thursday that he may be leaning towards retirement. The Vikings are still waiting on the quarterback's decision. "He doesn't know yet," NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci told WFAN hosts Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts. "He's trying to heal up. ... His body is recovered except for that ankle. That's not quite ready yet. It's an ankle that he had surgery on twice before and it's still pretty puffy. You remember he came out of that game with the ankle and went back in but it's still swollen. "He's trying to determine: Is his body telling him something here? Or is he going to be feeling better in due time. He still hasn't made up his mind and the Vikings are not rushing him. That's what's a little bit crazy about it. I thought maybe they'd say, 'Listen, could you tell us by draft day please so we could determine where we're going to go.' But I don't think their draft needs are having to do with Brett. I think they are OK at quarterback. If he plays or if he doesn't play it doesn't matter. I think Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels will be there to play. They were supposed to be there last year to play. "I think Brad Childress has said, 'Hey, Brett, just take your time, we want you back. All the players want him back. They just say, 'Get yourself ready and healthy and if you get to that point, get your butt in here.' But his mind isn't at that point yet because his body isn't feeling well enough to move around like that just yet."

Jimmy Cluasen went undrafted in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. There have been several quarterbacks selected in the second round who have gone on to become successful NFL quarterbacks, most notably Brett Favre. Favre was the 33rd overall pick in the 1991 draft by the Falcons. Randall Cunningham, Boomer Esiason, Ron Jaworski, Neil Lomax, Drew Brees and Jake Plummer were also successful second rounders. The Vikings own the 34th overall pick by way of a trade with the Lions

The Vikings and Titans are both chasing defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth as the NFL Draft has gotten under way. It has been rumored for a few weeks that the Redskins are open to dealing Haynesworth, who they signed last offseason.

The Minnesota Vikings have signed 9th-year CB Lito Sheppard, it was announced today. Sheppard, who has played in 104 games with 70 career starts, has 19 career INTs for 460 yards and 3 TDs. He spent his first 7 years in the NFL with Philadelphia, helping the Eagles to 4 NFC East Division titles and Super Bowl XXXIX, before starting 9 games for a New York Jets team that advanced to the AFC Championship Game last year. ?Lito is a great guy who fits what we are looking for,? Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress said. ?He's the type of person and player we value at the cornerback position. Coach (Leslie) Frazier and I have seen him up close and personal and we know what he can bring to our team on and off the field. We look forward to him being a Viking."

Free agent cornerback Lito Sheppard visited the Vikings on Wednesday, according to Pro Football Talk. "CB Lito Sheppard visiting Vikings today, per league source," Pro Football Talk wrote on their Twitter page.

The Vikings are still waiting to hear from Brett Favre on his football future. Minnesota coach Brad Childress says that he has remained in constant contact with Favre.

The Saints will host the Vikings in the first game of the 2010 regular season. It will be a rematch of last season's NFC Championship Game, which was decided in overtime. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed the Vikings-Saints matchup for Thursday night, Sept. 9 on Tuesday.

The Vikings have re-signed backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. Minnesota is still waiting to see if Brett Favre will return for another season. Jackson was a restricted free agent.

Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson will sign his tender with the team, according to NFL sources. Doing so would leave defensive end Ray Edwards as the team's only restricted free agent who has not signed his tender.