Favre leaves game with sprained left foot

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TAMPA, Fla. - Brett Favre's streak of 135 consecutive starts, an NFL record for quarterbacks, may be in jeopardy.


The three-time league MVP left Sunday's game between the Packers and Buccaneers with a sprained left foot that could sideline him for a week or more. He limped off the field after being sacked by Warren Sapp in the third quarter and did not return as Green Bay lost 20-15.


''I anticipate him to be out for at least the next week and maybe longer,'' coach Mike Sherman said. ''It's too early to tell. He's not able to walk at the present time, so I anticipate him to be out for a little while.''


Favre completed 14 of 25 passes for 117 yards and no interceptions. He didn't need assistance getting off the field, but was later taken to the locker room on a cart with his foot wrapped in ice.


Green Bay kicked a 42-yard field goal on the next play and trailed 14-6 when Matt Hasselbeck replaced Favre on the Packers' next possession. The backup went 9-for-18 for 93 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown to Bubba Franks on a fake field goal play.


Hasselbeck, a second-year pro, will make his first pro start if Favre is not able to play at home against Indianapolis next week.


''I'm glad it's at home,'' Hasselbeck said. ''I think it's a lot easier to play at home in front of the fans at Lambeau. I don't know. I have no idea what Brett's situation is. So, I'll be happy one way or the other.''


Sapp, who has enjoyed a friendly rivalry with Favre over the years, called the injury unfortunate. It was the second straight week the Bucs have knocked a quarterback out of a game.


Tampa Bay's Steve White was fined $7,500 for a helmet-to-helmet hit that sidelined Atlanta's Chris Chandler last week.


''I got up the field, got pressure, saw his feet and dove to get him,'' Sapp said. ''It is one of those unfortunate things that happened and we had to go from there. I have always said that he is a warrior. When we got him out of the ball game it helped. But we still had to go out there, play hard and win.''


If Hasselbeck does start against the Colts, his teammates said they have confidence in his ability.


''I'm going to tell you something about Hasselbeck. This from a guy who's been around a long time,'' safety LeRoy Butler said. ''He's better than half the quarterbacks in this league now - probably better than 20 out of the 30 or 31. Much better. He has every tool you need. We can win with No. 11.''