NFL notebook: Favre doesn’t rule out return in ‘08

Now that the Green Bay Packers are winning again, might Brett Favre once again put off retirement and return to play next season?

Favre hasn’t said that himself, preferring to delay his now-annual retirement saga until after the season. But in a conference call with Detroit reporters on Tuesday, Favre at least hinted that the Packers’ successful season makes him more likely to return next year.

“If the season was over today, I could look in a mirror and say, ‘You can play. You don’t have to say I think I can. You know you can,’ ” Favre said.

NFL Network ads irk Comcast

Comcast, the nation’s largest cable company, has sent a cease-and-desist letter to the NFL Network demanding the channel’s representatives stop encouraging fans to leave the cable provider.

The channel’s iwantnflnetwork.com Web site includes a box titled “Make the switch.” Above a field to enter a zip code, the text reads, “Switch to a TV provider that will bring you NFL Network, not hold you hostage.”

Around the league

Steelers SS Troy Polamalu (knee) and WR Santonio Holmes (ankle) will likely miss at least one game. … Joey Harrington will start at QB for the Falcons against Indianapolis after Bryon Leftwich missed practice with a bruised tailbone. Atlanta also placed DTs Rod Coleman and Trey Lewis on injured reserve.… The Jaguars released QB Todd Bouman, two days after David Garrard returned to the starting lineup. … Cowboys WR Patrick Crayton (ankle) missed practice and may miss the Thanksgiving game against the Jets. … Ravens DE Trevor Pryce has a severe pectoral tear and will probably be out for the remainder of the season. … Tennessee QB Vince Young bruised the same right quadriceps muscle that kept him out of a game in October, though he is expected to play Sunday. … Titans coach Jeff Fisher said he’s gathering facts about a weekend incident between suspended cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. … Giants LB Mathias Kiwanuka was placed on injured reserve after he broke his left leg against Detroit on Sunday. … Chargers LB Carlos Polk was placed on the injured reserve list on due to a shoulder injury suffered last week. … Ted Tollner rejoined the 49ers as an assistant coach in an effort to spark the club’s miserable offense.