Jermichael Finley suffered a gruesome neck injury on the field just three weeks ago that left him temporarily paralyzed. After making a quick recovery and walking out of the hospital, Finley was hopeful to suit up for the Packers again this season. It now looks like he may never play another down in the NFL.
Finley, 26, suffered the injury in the second half of a win against the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 20. Former Packers tight end Mark Chmura (1993-1999) told 540 ESPN Milwaukee on Tuesday that he recently spoke with Finley, who explained that he was set to undergo surgery on the C3 and C4 vertebratae in his neck. Chmura seems to think that might mean the end of Finley’s promising young career.
“I think it’s gonna be a Nick Collins deal,” Chmura said, via the National Football Post. “He’s definitely not gonna play in Green Bay, I’d put my house on that.”
Collins, 30, was a safety for the Packers from 2005 to 2011. He suffered a neck injury similar to Finley’s, and the three-time Pro Bowler was released by the team before the 2012 season after undergoing surgery.
Finley caught 223 passes for 2,785 yards and 20 touchdowns over the course of five-plus seasons in Green Bay. He had caught 25 passes for 300 yards and three scores through six games in 2013. He was set to become a free agent after this season.
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