Brett Favre decides to rejoin Vikings

Here we go again. And again. And again.

For the third straight year, Brett Favre said he was retiring. And for the third straight year, the 40-year-old quarterback is unretiring.

Favre returned to Minnesota late Tuesday after three teammates flew to his home in Mississippi to persuade him to play another season. Favre is expected to officially announce his return at a news conference Wednesday at the Vikings' Winter Park, Minn., training facility.

Favre's website posted a message earlier in the day to "stay tuned for breaking news from the Minnesota Vikings today on Brett Favre's possible return."

While there was no official announcement that he was back to play, it is expected Favre will be back for a 20th season. The Vikings open the regular season on Sept. 9 in New Orleans. Favre's Vikings lost in overtime to the eventual Super Bowl champion Saints last January in the NFC Championship Game.

Earlier in the day, three Vikings veterans - guard Steve Hutchinson, defensive end Jared Allen and kicker Ryan Longwell - went to Mississippi to try and convince Favre to return. FoxSports.com's Jay Glazer first reported that the three were successful.

Vikings coach Brad Childress oversaw yesterday's practice, and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell tried to avoid questions about the missing three players. "I know that there's probably going to be some questions about what transpired since we've been out here at practice," Bevell said. "I won't be able to shed much light on it since we were out here. I know that there were some guys that were missing and I was told by the head coach that they were inside and that's what he told me."

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Favre underwent ankle surgery in May, and visited Dr. James Andrews last week in Florida. Favre has said he would play if he felt the ankle was strong enough.

Favre, who played with the Jets in 2008, enjoyed one of his best statistical seasons in 2009. He had the highest rating of his career (107.2), 33 touchdowns and a career-low seven interceptions.