The Minnesota Vikings sure picked up some good news.

No. Brett Favre didn’t answer to the pleas of the billboard that fans paid for in Hattiesburg, Miss. But Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield should be returning to form. In fact, it was a surprise Winfield was added as an injury replacement to the Pro Bowl this year (before backing out with his own injury) because the fractured right foot he had not only forced him to miss much of the season, it badly compromised his play before the end of the season.

Winfield met with North Carolina foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson on Thursday and learned that he will not require surgery, according to Rick Alonzo of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Winfield was held out of six games last season and eventually had to move to the nickel after he returned because he was being targeted on the outside.

It’s news the Vikings needed because Cedric Griffin, the other starting cornerback, will probably still be on the shelf in the summer as he rehabilitates from a torn ACL.

Now, if the Vikings could just talk Favre back for a 20th season.

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