Eden Prairie, Minn. ? Brett Favre’s latest problem is his elbow.

With the NFL investigating whether he sent lewd photos of himself to a Jets game hostess while he played for New York in 2008, Favre said Wednesday that his cherished, league-record streak of 289 straight starts could be in danger if the pain in his right elbow gets any worse.

The 41-year-old quarterback did not practice with Minnesota on Wednesday, preferring to rest the tendinitis that flared up noticeably Monday night in the Vikings 29-20 loss to the Jets.

“I don’t want to play just to play,” Favre said. “It’s kind of a funny injury. It could flare up and get worse.”

It’s even more adversity for Favre this season, which so far has been anything but a repeat of last year’s charmed run to the NFC title game. How bad is it? Wednesday, local TV station WCCO posted video of Favre getting hit in the groin by a stray football during a warm up before practice started.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said on Tuesday there is no timetable for completing an investigation into a Deadspin report that Favre sent inappropriate messages and photos to Jenn Sterger in 2008.

And the Vikings are off to a 1-3 start heading into what they call a must-win game against Dallas on Sunday.

“I don’t rank them,” Favre said on Wednesday when asked how the allegations measure up to other issues he’s dealt with in his career.

NFL

McCoy might get first start

Berea, Ohio — Wearing a white Texas baseball cap backwards and a laminated wristband full of offensive plays, Browns quarterback Colt McCoy was engulfed by a huge wave of cameras and reporters in the middle of Cleveland’s locker room.

McCoy strained to hear a question over the teasing screams of his teammates, who gave him the typical rough rookie treatment.

“Golly,” McCoy said, shaking his head and smiling.

Yep, it’s hard to believe. But sooner than he or anyone expected, McCoy has become an NFL starter.

With quarterbacks Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace still slowed by severe ankle injuries, Browns coach Eric Mangini said Wednesday that he is “leaning” toward McCoy making his pro debut this Sunday in Pittsburgh against the rival Steelers.

In other NFL news:

• Chargers left tackle Marcus McNeill agreed Wednesday to a five-year contract extension through 2015. It’s believed to be worth $48.5 million, with $24.5 million guaranteed.

• The San Diego Chargers have turned out the lights on the player known as “Lights Out.” Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, once one of the most-feared players in the NFL, was placed on the injured reserve list due to a calf injury and a “minor-injury designation” on Wednesday. Merriman must be released once he’s healthy, the team said.

• The Tennessee Titans have brought back linebacker Jamie Winborn only five days after releasing the veteran to make room on the roster for linebacker Gerald McRath.

• Oakland Raiders quarterback Bruce Gradkowski sat out practice because of an injured right shoulder that could sideline him for this week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.

• The Cleveland Browns have traded disgruntled running back Jerome Harrison to the Philadelphia Eagles for running back Mike Bell.

• Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler expects to start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks after missing a game because of a concussion.

• Buffalo Bills starting right tackle Cornell Green is out indefinitely due to an undisclosed injury.

• Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley and linebacker Nick Barnett may be lost for the season after having surgery this week.

• The Minnesota Vikings have signed veteran cornerback Frank Walker. Walker was added to the roster Wednesday and starting cornerback Cedric Griffin was placed on season-ending injured reserve after sustaining a significant injury to his right knee on Monday against the New York Jets.

Golf

Transgender golfer sues LPGA

San Francisco — Lana Lawless, a former police officer who underwent a sex change operation five years ago, is challenging the LPGA’s ban on transgender players.

She filed a federal lawsuit late Tuesday in San Francisco federal court claiming the LPGA’s “female at birth” requirement for competitors violates a California civil rights law.

College basketball

Izzo to get Legends award

Los Angeles — Michigan State’s Tom Izzo will be honored with the Legends of Coaching award as part of the John R. Wooden Award ceremony in 2011.

NASCAR

Pearson headlines Hall class

Charlotte, N.C. — David Pearson finally received his spot in the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Wednesday, earning the most votes a year after the 105-race winner was surprisingly excluded from the inaugural class.

Three-time Daytona 500 winner Bobby Allison, whose 84 wins are tied for third on the victory list, was the second inductee announced and was followed by Lee Petty, a 54-race winner and patriarch of a Petty Enterprises organization that dominated NASCAR for more than three decades.

The remaining two slots went to two-time champion Ned Jarrett, who believed he was selected as much for his racing resume as he was for his post-driving career as a popular broadcaster, and pioneer Bud Moore, who fielded cars for Pearson, Allison, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt, Buddy Baker and Benny Parsons over 37 seasons.