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It's been assumed for months that once the new league year begins, the Packers will officially part ways with tight end Jermichael Finley. Finley, who just completed the final season of a two-year deal, is recovering from a spinal cord injury that sidelined him for most of 2014.
However, a report from Pro Football Talk indicates that not only will Finley continue his NFL career, but he's nearing 100%.
Finley told PFT that his doctor expects to give Finley clearance for contact within the next three or four weeks. Finley pegged his doctor's confidence at 99.9 percent.
The Packers' history with neck injuries is a long and sordid one. Famously, Green Bay lost All-Pros Sterling Sharpe and Nick Collins to damaged necks, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. In recent years, the only Packer to seriously damage his neck and return with Green Bay is Sean Richardson. However, his situation is far from the norm.
It also remains to be seen whether the Packers would even consider re-signing Finley if he receives medical clearance. The injury likely deflates the market for Finley, but Ted Thompson has demonstrated an aversion to players with injuries like his. The prospect of retaining Finley in a year where James Jones may depart could be too enticing to pass up, though.
