Green Bay, Wisconsin (AP)-- A day after severely injuring his elbow in a week 3 matchup against the Detroit Lions, news got even worse for Packers quarterback Brett Favre as he learnt that the injury sustained to his elbow in the opening quarter has done enough damage to sideline him for the rest of the 2006 season. With the injury obvious speculation has started in whether we have seen Brett Favre play football in the NFL for the very last time in his illustrious career.

Could this be the lasting image we remember of Brett Favre???

Favre has yet to comment on his career plan, but after leaving the league in suspense throughout the offseason of whether of not he will return for the 06 campaign all the early signs point to retirement for Favre. Favre was injured early in the game when Lions third year linebacker Teddy Lehman sacked Favre. As Lehman made contact with Favre he twisted the quarterback body in an awkward position exposing the elbow that crushed under his body onto the turf. Favre was in immediate pain, as Green Bay trainers dealt with Favre before he majestically walked off the football field under his own power. The Detroit crowd cheered for Favre as he walked off for maybe the last time in his career. Before the injury Favre was continuing to build on his good start to the season as his Packers led 7-0 after he connected on a 28 yard touchdown score with Donald Driver. A pass, which was typical of Favre who slung the ball to Driver for what, was Favre last touchdown pass ever? After a horrendous 2005 season, Favre was reminiscent of his old self this season throwing 5 touchdown passes to 1 interception, and 545 yards on 51/73 passing, giving him a quarterback rating of 108.5, 37.6 points up from his 2005 numbers.
Originally drafted by the Falcons in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft from Southern Mississippi, Favre was never expected to have the career which he went on the have. A year in Atlanta was nothing special and in the offseason he was traded to the Green Bay Packers where then-rookie coach Mike Holmgren built a special relationship with Favre. During his 14 years with the Packers, Favre built a resume that no other quarterback has ever lived up to. He led the Pack to two Superbowl berths including a world championship in 1996. Favre won two MVP awards and 8 pro bowl appearances. During his career as a starter he achieved an impressive 141-83 record.
However when it is all said and done Favre will probably remembered for his durability. He holds the record amongst quarterback for consecutive games started of 224 straight (244 in playoff games are included). The steak spanned over 14 seasons where he passes for 54160 yards on 4729/7684 passing, and 401 touchdowns along with 256 interceptions. Numbers good enough to set a myriad of Packer passing record and place him second all time in passing yard and touchdown passes behind another great QB in Dan Marino.
The next step for the Packers now in the post-Favre era will be to try and rebuild the team around a young core of players. Aaron Rodgers who had been patiently waiting for his chance to take over Favre’s reign will now be the Packers starter next week, ending Favre’s streak. Rodger was poor in his fill role of Favre against the Lions throwing three interceptions and 118 yards as the Packers suffered the loss giving them a 1-2 record.
Favre, who still may make a comeback one last time, has constantly hinted retirement and experts believe the only way the great #4 will return in 07 will be if the Packers team is stocked with talent to give them a legitimate playoff run. If that doesn’t happen than Favre will prepare his Hall of Fame induction speech.