Finding a doc who is willing to put in writing that is not recommended for Finley to return to football (Doc could also cite concussion history along with this), IMO probably wouldn't be that difficult to find. IIRC, with both Nick Collins and Terrence Murphy it was a mixed bag if you will in doc's opinions whether or not they could resume their NFL career. Some said yes, others said no.

And with GB's conservative approach on these injuries, all it takes probably is one of them to say No and that's all TT needs to hear. Now granted, Collins required surgery and Murphy had stenosis. All things point to Finley not needing surgery, the stenosis part is probably to be determined.

But IMO, it's gotta be a consensus from everyone he'll see telling GB it's ok for him play. Then if IR'ed it's also him willing to come back at (wild guess here) maybe 2-3 mil a year. They could incentive increase it if he stays on field. Now would Finley be willing to do that vs taking 10 mil (tax free no less) and saying 'buh bye now'? Doubt he'd be willing to.

If I am him, only way I'm coming back is if I'm making at least what I am now. And I can't see TT doing that with his multiple injury history.

I know it is hard to read much into comments... but Finley certainly seems like a more matured person this year. He seemed truly affected by his teammates and coaches visiting him last week. Circumstances are certainly different than Jolly, but Finley has to see the loyalty there and might consider a loyalty deal if Thompson is inclined to offer one - one that protects both sides... like you said p-boi, an incentive laden one.

Regardless, glad he is walking, listening to the doctors, and looking forward to his future - whatever and wherever that may be.

It didn't matter what Collins' doctors said, what mattered was what the Packers' doctor says. If the Packers medical staff says no on Finley then he's going on IR. Some say the Packers are ultra conservative with injuries, but I think what they don't want is semi-injured minimal/non-contributor taking up a roster spot. They rotate a lot of players and they're not going to have a "limited" player on the 46 who can't contribute to a win. They want to have 46 players who are 100%. 

How would a GB style injury policy have affected the Ravens last season with Ray Lewis?

What about Jimmy Graham last week with his ankle injury?

@JermichaelF88

The road back begins now.. At the @MayoClinic with @FCintermedia to give you the behind the scenes look #PackerNation pic.twitter.com/TYXPekcn1t

 

By the time he's done it'll be the yotto clinic yo! 

I feel better that he opted for this instead of the Mustard Clinic.

So there is a film crew covering his recovery?  This guy's agents deserve a raise for how they are monetizing this injury for him.  First it's the insurance he had already taken out on himself, then the guest writing gig at MMQB, now this.

I'm not against it...get paid big fella!

My wife works at Mayo.  I said we should get his autograph but he would probably drop the pen.

Awwww come on now.  Low blow.  He catches more than he drops recently.

I know, but couldn't resist!

 @jrehor: Mark Chmura on @ESPNMilwaukee just said he spoke with Jermichael Finley yesterday and Finley is having surgery this Friday

A vasectomy, maybe?

More seriously, I just thought he had a bruised spinal cord with rest as the remedy.  Hadn't seen any discussion about surgery being required.

If it was just a bruise, what are they going in for?

Looks like he's taking the $10 million insurance and getting on with life. I'll miss the beast he was, but this will be a better thing for his son in the future.

Linked PFT article says, per Chumura, it's to correct a herniated disk. If correct they will be fusing the C3 and C4 vertebrae. If true, thats a career ender, as if I recall correctly those are the same 2 vertebrae that Nick Collins had fused.

That insurance policy was a wise move, and more players should pony up for that type insurance.

PFT article on it

More from Chmura today, via Packer Update:

@PackerUpdate: Mark Chmura: “I got a chance to talk to Jermichael Finley before the game, and I would bet my bottom dollar his career’s over. Over.

@PackerUpdate: 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.”

Well, if Chewy was serious he'd be betting the hot tub, but I digress.  Not sounding good for Finley.  

Like Nick Collins, it will always be the career that could've been.

I had the privilege of seeing him eat up the Cardinals in that playoff game. He made a play right near where we were sitting where the defender grabbed his arms as he tried to catch it. Flag out for interference. He caught it anyway. It was like the Seinfeld episode where Kramer joins the dojo of 12 year old boys. All day long, they tried everything to stop JMike: safeties, CBs, LBs, Double coverage. He was unstoppable.

“I will give you a little snibbet,” Chmura said (without identifying the
dictionary in which he found the word “snibbet&rdquo.

I absolutely hate to see a player's career end like that, especially somebody who could help us.  But let's not Finley = Collins.  Collins was a proven, perennial pro bowler.  Finley was dominant in limited spurts.

Losing Finley hurts this season, but it's not a big deal for the future. Ted should be able to find a quality TE for a lot less money than Finley made this season and would've made in 2014. Maybe Bostick can be that guy.

All along I've been looking for snippets when I should have been looking for a snibbet.

I'm an IDOT!!   

Apparently, we don't have a TE on the roster who is a pass catcher, judging by the plays called. I'm being a little sarcastic, but it's still a valid point.
I don't know who among them are the good blockers, but Taylor sure isn't one.

Chmura's opinion.

Finley will be on with Wilde @ about 9:30 this morning. 

http://profootballtalk.nbcspor...y-will-have-surgery/

Finley story. He is getting surgery so he continue playing football.

The PFT story (and the linked story within that story from Finley's Agent) do not say which vertebrae are being fused. Back to Chmura original story on this, if it's the C3 & C4 vertebrae that likely means career ender. If its vertebrae further on down, perhaps he plays again.

1265 is apparently OK with Richardson's recovery so maybe Finley makes it back (if it's the same vertebra).

Richardson and Worthy return to practice. Three week window starts now for  both of them.

http://blog.packers.com/2013/1...-return-to-practice/

Wow. Sending prayers. RT @rothchris pray for a Milwaukee treasure, mentor, friend @espnhomer . Hit by drunk driver. http://t.co/kY9n1RobGA

— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) November 14, 2013

Prayers he's ok. 

Drunk driver on Wednesday morning before 10am. Pathetic. 

Clay Matthews' cast to be smaller

espn.com

by Rob Demovsky on 11-13-13

 

The big, bulky cast that rendered linebacker Clay Matthews largely ineffective in his return to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday won't be needed this weekend against the New York Giants.

 

Matthews practiced Wednesday with a much smaller version of the cast on his right hand, and coach Mike McCarthy said his star pass rusher should be able to use that for Sunday's road game.

 

"Based on the doctor's report, he's able to now," McCarthy said. "I don't even know what the term is. I think this is a normal path. [The size of the cast] starts to decrease each week."

 

"It's more so difficult going out there with one hand than dealing with the pain," Matthews said after the game.

 

"Obviously it's going to hurt, but that wears off. They assured me it would be very difficult to reinjure the hand being in a club with the protection that I have and how it's casted down. But at the same time, that doesn't mean the pain goes away. So that's just a byproduct that I need to continue to push through, and I think I will." -espn.com

I thought Clay was kind of useless out there last week.  Maybe part of that is just how good McCoy is.  Giants don't have anyone that's too shifty.  Should help him a little bit.

He was pretty much useless. Hopefully, he'll be a lot better with a smaller cast.

If Clay cannot use his hand, then I think the results will likely be the same.

@JermichaelF88

For All Craziness That's Going Around "I'm Not Done With The Game Of FootBall".Thanks To "Dr. Mark Chumra" For False Story

Dramichael Finley.

Sheesh --

GREEN BAY, Wis. – A whopping 12 players were listed on the Green Bay Packers’ Wednesday injury report, among them five starters who may be in danger of not playing on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (collarbone), right tackle Don Barclay (knee), defensive tackle Johnny Jolly (groin), linebacker Nick Perry (foot/ankle) and cornerback Sam Shields (hamstring) all missed practice.

“We actually had a good practice, but the list is too long,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “That’s kind of where we are. Your report usually gets a little longer this time of year.”

McCarthy said both Barclay and Shields were part of the rehabilitation group on Wednesday. Of the five missing starters, they appear to have the best chances of playing against the Vikings.

Here’s the full injury report:

• T Don Barclay (knee, did not practice)
• C Evan Dietrich-Smith (knee, limited participation)
• CB Casey Hayward (hamstring, did not practice)
• DT Johnny Jolly (groin, did not practice)
• LB Clay Matthews (thumb, full participation)
• LB Andy Mulumba (ankle, limited participation)
• LB Mike Neal (abdomen, limited participation)
• CB James Nixon (knee, did not practice)
• LB Nick Perry (foot/ankle, did not practice)
• DT Ryan Pickett (knee, limited participation)
• QB Aaron Rodgers (collarbone, did not practice)
• CB Sam Shields (hamstring, did not practice)

Free agency begins on March 11.  Three days earlier, teams can start talking to the agents of the looming free agents.

Until then, plenty of communications will occur.

 

Some will violate the rules.  Some won’t.  For example, if a player from one team starts working on a player from another team, it’s not a problem — unless it’s happening at the behest of the team that wants to sign the free agent.

 

Giants safety Antrel Rolle already has commenced the recruitment of Packers tight end Jermichael Finley. Given that Rolle has admitted it publicly, it’s safe to assume the team didn’t covertly put him up to it.

 

According to Justin Tasch of the New York Daily News, Rolle said at the Thurmon Munson Awards Dinner that Rolle watched Super Bowl XLVIII with Finley, and that Rolle was working on Finley to join the Giants.

 

“[Finley] said he would love to be a part of the Giants,” Rolle said.

Last week, Finley told PFT Live that he expects to be cleared for contact soon, following neck surgery that ended his 2013 season.  He also said he wants to be a Packer for life, but that he’ll go elsewhere if need be.

 

Elsewhere could include the Giants.

Finley does like to talk a lot. The rest of the league teams and press will find out  how much in the next month.

I get the impression somebody in his inner circle does make wise decision, somebody knew what they were doing when the took out that post tax 10 million insurance policy. Whoever that person is (his wife?), is the person that needs to be listen to when they talk about his future, not Finley himself.