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Mike McCarthy: "No doors are closed yet" on Jermichael Finley

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy kept alive the possibility of a Jermichael Finely return during a radio interview.

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

During an interview on The Bill Michaels Show, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy was asked about the team's stance on Jermichael Finley. As has been well document, the tight end continues to rehabilitate his body following the neck injury that ended his 2013 season.

Early in the offseason, McCarthy expressed considerable optimism that Finley would not only return to the field, but could do so in green and gold. That confidence dissipated as news trickled out that Finley failed a physical with the Seahawks. Much more recently when Finley's personal doctor cleared him for a return to the field, many have wondered whether the Packers' interest in him might return.

Well according to McCarthy, "No doors are closed yet, and we'll see what happens." That shares more than a passing resemblance with much of the other rhetoric used by the coach when discussing Finley's return. While McCarthy has yet to say affirmatively that the team will sign him if he clears their medical tests, the fact that the team hasn't ruled out the possibility after this long preserves the possibility.

Additionally, McCarthy stated that the team could also return Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly. The pair of defensive linemen have garnered little interest this offseason, albeit for different reasons. Pickett comes off a down year and at 34 may no longer have anything left. Jolly on the other hand flashed the form that made him a starter during his first stint with the Packers, but a neck injury of his own has clouded his future.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Acme Packing Company. He also serves as a contributor to TonySoftli.com and The Football Educator. His work has previously appeared on Hook’em Headlines, Beats Per Minute, and Lombardi Ave.