Brett Favre injured, but Jenn Sterger remains his biggest potential wound

There probably isn't a day that goes by that Brett Favre wishes he would have just stayed on the farm in Hattiesburg, Miss. this fall, doing work around the property and throwing passes to adoring high school kids. Things just aren't going that well for the aged Minnesota Vikings gunslinger these days... and don't seem to be getting any better amid nagging injuries and allegations surrounding a sex scandal. 

First off, Favre, who is past his 40th birthday, continues to battle a problematic ankle that was no help to him this weekend against New England. The Vikings lost 28-18, a slap to the face of the now 2-5 Vikings. And Favre was literally slapped in the face during the loss, a helmet-to-chin hit that forced Favre to get eight stitches to close up his gray stubble-covered chin. He left the game with an apparent concussion. 

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EUcdv-iDY8&feature=player_embedded 400x350] 

Favre says he expects to start next week with the hobbled ankle and the stitches in his chin, but his biggest problem remains off the field. It all began with Deadspin's Oct. 7 story about Favre allegedly propositioning former New York Jets sideline reporter Jenn Sterger via voicemail and allegedly sending pictures of his genital area to her via text message. Favre admitted to leaving the voicemails, but denies sending the pictures.

The NFL is still investigating the matter. Sterger wasn't cooperating with the NFL initially, but now her manager says she'll probably meet with the league this week. 

With all these problems, Sterger's cooperation with the NFL's investigation could still harm Favre the most. If it turns out that his advances toward Sterger were encouraged or invited, the investigation may not harm Favre at all. But, if the advances were unsolicited, Favre could be suspended under the league's personal conduct policy and forever tarnish the legacy he has fought so hard in his graying years to perpetuate beyond repair.