The Packers have established that they’re nervous about players with spinal fusion surgeries.
But while they won’t clear former safety Nick Collins after his, it seems things have changed as it pertains to soon-to-be free agent tight end Jermichael Finley.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy told Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin he was hopeful Finley would be able to resume his career, and hoped it would be in Green Bay.
McCarthy said Dr. Pat McKenzie, the team doctor, was more encouraged by Finley’s prognosis than Collins’, even though the same two vertebrae were fused.
“Pat (McKenzie) doesn’t feel the same way about Jermichael as he felt about Nick,” McCarthy said. “So I’m very open and optimistic about Jermichael coming back. I think the specifics of their injuries are different.”
Finley’s agent recently said he’d be fully healed in the next two months and ready to resume his career.