Jermichael Finley's Career May Be Over

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley suffered a bruised spinal cord in his neck Sunday but continued to have encouraging signs after undergoing further tests today at a local area hospital. Nevertheless, his evaluation will be an extensive process, according to league sources, with his return indefinite.

Finley will seek further medical opinions after he is discharged and a source said his short-term and long-term prospects for playing again will not be hastened with the team's blessing and support, the sources said. One source said Finley's return to the field is "obviously secondary" to his overall health.

 

ESPN

 

He was in the ICU overnight, but it seems like things are looking up for him. Hope he has a speedy recovery!

Edited November 12, 2013 by Favre4Ever

[Packers Dynasty 2010 116]

It's good to hear that it isn't any more serious and that he was up and walking earlier today. I hope further examinations go well and that he has a speedy recovery. Sucks how he was finally turning the corner and this happens.

Edited October 22, 2013 by Packers Dynasty 2010

[BwareDWare94 723]

If he got it going before this, he'll keep it going after. However, I don't know how you recover from something like that, mentally. I mean, imagine if Johnny Knox could have played again, after an injury even worse than this. Do you think he'd have ever recovered that mental edge?

I'm not worried about Finley, physically. These injuries are rare. I'm worried about whether or not he'll be able to recover, psychologically.

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

According to teammates, Jermichael Finley (neck) intends to continue his NFL career.

Finley is expected to be released from the hospital on Thursday, four days after bruising his spinal cord against the Browns. He'll begin the long process of seeking opinions from specialists and deciding on a course of action. "One of his biggest things was, 'I'm going to get back,'" backup tight end Andrew Quarless said after visiting his teammate. It's unclear if Finley even has a chance to be back this season, but the Packers are holding off on placing him on injured reserve for the time being.

Source: ESPN.com

[Bangy 19]

Damn another neck injury, I hope Finley takes his time and doesn't try to rush back from this type of injury. It's a shame that it happened as Finley really had stepped up so far this season but at the end of the day is health is more important.

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

Packers placed TE Jermichael Finley on injured reserve with a bruised spinal cord, ending his season.

The Pack appeared to be holding out hope Finley could return this season by keeping him on the active roster for as long as they did, but could no longer afford to wait with Aaron Rodgers' injury necessitating roster moves. Either way, it was highly unlikely Finley would be able to come back. He'll now go into free agency on the back of his second injured-reserve stint in four seasons. A torn meniscus cut short Finley's 2010 campaign. By most accounts, Finley should eventually get back to 100 percent, and be ready for the 2014 season. It's quite possible he'll be playing somewhere other than Green Bay, who may not have the salary-cap space to make a competitive offer.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

I want to see more out of young TEs Brandon Bostick and Jake Stoneburner. I don't have any major issues with Quarless, but I feel like we know what we have with him. I'd like to give the younger guys a few more snaps.

[Bangy 19]

Yea I would to see more of Stoneburner, Quarrles now has this opportunity to step the hell up

[badgers 380]

Yea I would to see more of Stoneburner, Quarrles now has this opportunity to step the hell up

 

Quarless does fine, idk if you're suggesting he's been a bad TE. He doesn't have the game-changing ability Finley has but he's got just as good hands, runs his routes, and is a better blocker.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Of the worst, Jermichael Finley now is a state of flux wondering not about whether he comes back this year, but whether he ever plays the game again.

Today, the team placed him on season-ending injured reserve. Now, his playing days as a Packer, and a career in football remain perilously in limbo.

The NFL Network reported this morning that former Packers tight end, Mark Chmura offered a bit of insight into the Finley injury situation:

"I will give you a little snippet," Chmura said. "I got a chance to talk to Jermichael Finley before the game, and I would bet my bottom dollar his career's over. Over.He needs surgery, and it's herniated in (the C3 and C4 vertebrae) ... He's definitely not gonna play in Green Bay, I'd put my house on that."

Said Chmura: "I believe he's undergoing surgery on Thursday. ... He literally could not move his neck."

 

ThePackMentality.com

 

Man, I hate neck injuries. My distaste for Finley as not only a player, but person, has been well documented here... but, this isn't ever how I imagined his career with the Packers (and maybe in all of football) would have ended. Really sad, and I hope he gains more functionality after the surgery. Rest easy, Mr. Finley.

[Cherry 1,302]

Shame for a player to get hurt with a neck injury. Just proves that freak injuries happen. I feel bad for Tashaun Gipson.

[Packers Dynasty 2010 116]

I'll wait to hear from an official source. I liked Chmura as a player but he isn't exactly the smartest person and I see no reason why he would know this information

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

He talked to Finley directly... I am not a huge fan of Chmura, but lying about this would be some serious fail.

[badgers 380]

Yeah, and neck injuries always have the potential to be career ending, especially if they leave on a stretcher, which I think he did. Even before Chmura said this I was thinking that I would be a bit surprised if his career didn't end here, much like Nick Collins (please come back )

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

In a statement by Scott Boras (Finley's agent), he has confirmed spinal fusion surgery.... They expect Finley to make a full recovery and play football again.

I am not so sure on that, but of course they will be optimistic.

[badgers 380]

Yeah I always say I trust outside sources more than agents sometimes. Outside sources usually don't have a motive to sway one way or another..

[BwareDWare94 723]

Neck injuries linger for the rest of careers. While his wasn't nearly as bad as this, DeMarcus Ware has not been the same since he left Qualcomm on a stretcher.

 

We're talking about a minor injury with #94. Look what happens to Finley after he has a severe injury. It's just not the same anymore, and even if he does come back, how can this not linger? And then there's Malcolm Floyd--didn't his neck literally go into his body for a period of time, with his injury? Just horrible.

 

I can't remember his name, but have we had neck injuries this horrific since that Lions player in the 90s was practically paralyzed?

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Oh it will linger, make no doubt about it. Peyton Manning barely has full functionality of his neck... The positive there is that he rarely gets hit, much less hit hard.

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

The player rep for free agent Jermichael Finley (neck surgery) told PFT Finley's doctor is "99.9 percent certain" he'll be cleared for contact in 3-4 weeks.

Finley underwent single-fusion spinal surgery on two vertebrae in November. The agent, Blake Baratz, stated immediately following the procedure that Finley "has every intention of resuming his football career." Finley will likely have to settle for a one-year contract in free agency on a "prove-it" deal after such a scary injury. He's Rotoworld's No. 3 free agent tight end, behind Jimmy Graham and Dennis Pitta. Finley turns 27 years old in March.

Source: Profootballtalk on Twitter

[Zack_of_Steel+ 3,014]

It's nice to hear that he's going to be alright. Sucks that we'll have to endure more of his idiocy.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Lmao, so true. Now that he is going to be fine, I can go back to finding him annoying and a loser. Apparently the Giants are interested, which is a HUGE RELIEF.

Please Ted, PLEASE... Do not bring him back.

[BC 331]

Fuck the Packers til he retires

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

“I mean there’s a couple of teams I would love and would be on the first flight out to play with but like I said the Packers are going to come at me with something and I’m going to go to them first and see what they’ve got and if it’s not I would love to be on the first flight out to good old Seattle,” Finley said.

 

I just hate everything about this guy. First flight out? Yes please.

[RANGA+ 1,210]

Yes, please send him out to Seattle. Then we'll all get to see him hatefucked two times a year by arguably the best linebacker corps in the league...just imagine how many balls he'll be dropping then.

[Zack_of_Steel+ 3,014]

Jesus, what a fucking clown.