Brett Favre injured a nerve in his right elbow and his status for the Green Bay Packers ' upcoming game at Seattle is unclear, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said.
Favre left the field holding his right elbow late in the second quarter of the 35-0 loss to the New England Patriots.
McCarthy said Favre wasn't in pain, but was unable to muster enough strength in his hand to adequately grip the football after halftime. McCarthy said he did not know whether Favre would be able to play in the Packers' Nov. 27 game at Seattle.
Favre, making his 251st consecutive start including playoffs, was wrapped up low by Tully Banta-Cain and was on his way down when Tedy Bruschi hit Favre, forcing him down hard on his right arm and throwing shoulder with 1:41 left in the half.
Favre, who was on the injury report earlier in the week because of ankle and groin injuries, doubled over in immediate pain, grasping at his wrist and elbow.
He held the arm gingerly on the sideline as the training staff looked at him before he was carted off the field at halftime with the Patriots leading 21-0.
Favre did not immediately return when the Packers took the field in the second half, and the team said he was working on his throwing motion in the locker room.
When Favre emerged about a minute into the third quarter, he received a standing ovation, even though he was still holding his right arm as he walked to the sideline.
He practiced throwing on the sideline but did not return to the game. Aaron Rodgers took the field again when the Packers got the ball.
The three-time MVP left for good at the end of the third quarter, finishing 5-of-15 for 73 yards. It was the fewest completions in a start in his career.
Rodgers completed the game, going 4-of-12 for 32 yards.
The last time Favre was injured and did not return to a game was Oct. 3, 2004 against the New York Giants.
Favre sustained a concussion in the third quarter and missed two plays before returning to throw a touchdown pass to Javon Walker on fourth-and-5. Team doctors subsequently ruled him unable to play for the rest of that game, which the Packers lost 14-7.
{sportsad300}It was the Packers' worst shutout since Sept. 20, 1970, when Detroit beat Green Bay 40-0 at Lambeau Field to open the season.