Favre scenario still mostly cloudy

MINNEAPOLIS – Is Brett Favre healthy and hungry enough to end his retirement again? And how badly do the Minnesota Vikings want him?

The confusion continued Friday.

ESPN, again citing unnamed sources, reported X-rays of Favre’s injured right shoulder have been sent to the Vikings for evaluation. The network said Favre will play for Minnesota if it’s determined he doesn’t need major surgery. If he does, according to the source, he’ll stay retired.

But Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, told a different ESPN reporter he was unaware of any X-rays being sent to the team. Cook reiterated that the famously fickle quarterback has not told him he wants to return for a 19th NFL season.

“Brett would have to be mentally ready to go play, physically ready to go play, and want to go play,” Cook told the network, “and I’m not sure all three of those things are there right now.”

Cook is the only central figure in the story who has actually spoken on the record this week.

Vikings officials were unavailable for comment and haven’t address the drama since saying last week the team was likely to assess its interest in Favre.