Favre’s Non-Throwing Shoulder Is Hurting

If it was his right shoulder, Brett Favre’s injury would be the story of the Super Bowl.

The three-time most valuable player quarterback of the Green Bay Packers said Thursday that he might have a torn rotator cuff in his non-throwing shoulder, but it hasn’t affected his play this season and shouldn’t bother him against the Denver Broncos on Jan. 25.

Favre said he doesn’t plan to have off-season surgery, either.

“It’s not a big deal. I don’t know exactly what it is, but it feels like there’s something in there and they think maybe it’s torn cartilage or a torn cuff,” said Favre, who described the pain as an arthritis-type feeling.

Favre, who said he wasn’t on any medication for the injury, couldn’t recall how or when he first hurt the shoulder.

Coach Mike Holmgren wasn’t available for comment, but offensive coordinator Sherm Lewis said Favre’s shoulder wasn’t a big concern.

*

Ed Snider, chairman of hockey’s Philadelphia Flyers, has shown serious interest in purchasing the Minnesota Vikings, expected to fetch at least $200 million, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Snider said the team would stay in Minneapolis if his group, which has not made an offer, buys the team.

*

The New England Patriots signed guard Max Lane to a five-year contract, worth a reported$11 million. Lane, 26, is seen as one of the first beneficiaries of a new $17.6-billion TV deal announced Tuesday by the NFL. He earned less than $200,000 last season.

*

Doug Flutie, 35, and the Buffalo Bills continue to talk about a deal that could bring the six-time Canadian Football League MVP back to the NFL. “The final call will be Doug’s,” Jack Mula, Flutie’s agent, told the Boston Globe.

*

Linebackers Ken Norton Jr. of the San Francisco 49ers and Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens were added as “need” players to the Pro Bowl rosters. Need players must be an alternate at linebacker or defensive end.

Meanwhile, cornerback Cris Dishman of the Washington Redskins, safety John Lynch of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and linebacker Lee Woodall of the 49ers were picked as NFC replacements.

The trio replaces Dallas Cowboy defensive backs Deion Sanders (broken ribs) and Darren Woodson (shoulder surgery) and Washington Redskin linebacker Ken Harvey (shoulder).