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.

Impending free agent Jermichael Finley (neck) said he's not looking to take a discount because of his season-ending injury.

Finley didn't just suffer any "season-ending injury;" he is trying to come back from a serious neck issue, one that has ended careers in the past. Finley underwent single-fusion surgery on his C-3 and C-4 vertebrae in November and has been rehabbing in Green Bay and Minneapolis. He remains hopeful he'll play again. It's hard to see any team committing significant guaranteed money to Finley before he gets back on the field and proves he's healthy. He's our No. 3 free-agent tight end.

In a statement released by his agent, Jermichael Finley says he has elected to undergo spinal fusion surgery.

"We have collectively determined that while surgery may not be 100% necessary, it is a proactive measure that should alleviate future risks with regards to a similar episode or re-injury," Finley's agent, Blake Baratz, said in a statement. "Jermichael has elected to undergo a spinal fusion with Dr. Joseph Maroon, the Pittsburgh Steelers team Neurosurgeon. Dr. Maroon is experienced in conducting this type of procedure on professional athletes in contact sports, and is confident that Jermichael will fully recover following the procedure. Once surgery has been completed, Jermichael has every intention of resuming his football career, and we fully support his efforts to do so." The entire statement can be read at the link below. Finley faces a long road back. The main objective is that Finley can live a normal life outside of football.

Former Packers TE Mark Chumura believes Jermichael Finley's (neck) career is over.

Chumura says that Finley will indeed need surgery to repair the scary spinal cord contusion he sustained last month. "I will give you a little snibbet," 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." Finley has been quiet on his future as more medical opinions are sought out. His contract is up following this season.

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.

Jermichael Finley (bruised spinal cord) will have more medical visits this week before the Packers make a decision on whether to place him on IR.

Finley wrote an extremely compelling first-person account of his injury and the fallout for SI.com. In it, he said that it's a matter of when, not if, he'll play football again. However, all he can do now is let the two-centimeter bruise on his spinal cord heal and gather more medical opinions on his complicated injury. Finley can safely be considered out indefinitely.

Jermichael Finley (bruised spinal cord) was released from the hospital on Thursday.

Finley had been hospitalized since his scary Sunday injury. It's unclear if Finley will play again this season, but the tea leaves suggest no. He's reportedly determined to continue his career, however. Andrew Quarless will get the start in Finley's absence against the Vikings, and be backed up by Brandon Bostick.

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 brusing 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.

ESPN's Ed Werder reports Jermichael Finley's bruised spinal cord is not believed to be a career-ending injury, but that Finley could be placed on injured reserve "sometime this week."

Jermichael Finley has been diagnosed with a bruised spinal cord.

Finley is out of the ICU and has full feeling in his arms and legs. He's now going to seek more medical opinions and evaluations on how he should proceed, with football the furthest thing from his mind. Note that Ravens ILB Jameel McClain sustained what appears to be a similar injury last December and just returned to game action in Week 7. Other players have never played football again, especially if spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal column) is discovered.

Jermichael Finley (neck) tweeted that he's been released from the intensive care unit at the hospital.

"I'm happy to report that I have been transferred out of the intensive care unit and that I have full feeling in my arms and legs," Finley tweeted. "I was able 2 walk to & from the shower today, which was badly needed after yesterday's victory!" This is all wonderful news. However, Finley still appears to be at least be a few weeks away from playing in a football game. Coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that it was "premature" to provide a timeline. Andrew Quarless and Brandon Bostick project to fill in at tight end in Finley's absence.

Speaking Monday, Packers coach Mike McCarthy called Jermichael Finley's (neck) injury "significant," and said it was "premature" to provide a return timeline.

Finley is still in the hospital, but McCarthy added that he's "very upbeat, very positive," and "performing daily activities." In other words, it appears the worst is behind him. Nevertheless, Finley is, at minimum, weeks away from playing football. Andrew Quarless is the most likely candidate to start in Finley's absence, but Brandon Bostick should also see an uptick in playing time.

According to USA Today, the Packers probably won't know Jermichael Finley's playing status for "weeks."

Finley remains in a Green Bay hospital after sustaining a scary neck injury during Sunday's win over the Browns. The good news is that he has regained almost all movement, tests have come back negative so far and he's not expected to need surgery. Those positive developments mean we can think about football again, but owners shouldn't count on having the talented pass-catching tight end anytime soon. You can't just rub some dirt on a neck injury.

Jermichael Finley (neck) remains in the intensive care unit at the hospital.

Of all the injuries that happened Sunday, Finley's is the scariest. He had to be immobilized on the field after taking a hit from Browns FS Tashaun Gipson, leaving teammates shaken up and in tears. Finley has not had surgery as of early this morning, but doctors are monitoring his status. As agent Blake Baratz said Sunday night, football doesn't matter right now. Finley also sustained a severe concussion in Week 3 and said his son asked him to stop playing football at that time. For what it's worth, a source tells NFL Network that Finley is "going to be fine."

Jermichael Finley's agent tweeted that "football doesn't matter right now" on Sunday night.

Finley sustained a very scary head or neck injury during the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over the Browns. Packers players who were near him were visibly shaken afterward, with Andrew Quarless saying he shed a tear. Finley does have feeling in his extremities, but he was immobilized and stretchered off the field. "Thank you 2 every1 4 the well wishes regarding @JermichaelF88. Keep him in your thoughts & be patient. Football doesn't matter right now," read Baratz's tweet.

Jermichael Finley was stretchered off the field with an apparent neck injury in Sunday's Week 7 game against Cleveland.

Finley got lit up by Browns FS Tashaun Gipson after an early fourth-quarter catch. Finley lowered his helmet just before the hit, and we suspect he's been stretchered off primarily as a precaution. Finley appeared to have full movement in his body. It's possible he's been concussed, but that's just speculation and we'll know more in a day or two. Done for the day, Finley will finish with 72 yards and a touchdown on five receptions.

Jermichael Finley caught six passes for 32 yards in Green Bay's Week 5 win over the Lions.

True to form, Finley committed a terrible drop on a 4th-and-4 early in the second quarter, but had the miscue erased by a penalty on the other side of the field. Throwing out his injury-ruined Week 3, Finley has averaged 5.6/51/0.6 on the young season. He's a safe, if lower end, TE1.

Jermichael Finley (concussion) is listed as probable for Week 5.

Finley has been medically cleared and will start Sunday versus Detroit.

Jermichael Finley (concussion) expects to play in Sunday's game against the Lions.

Finley passed all his tests Tuesday afternoon and practiced in full Wednesday. The only thing that can stop him now is a reappearance of symptoms. Owners can safely pencil Finley into lineups as a mid-range TE1.

Jermichael Finley (concussion) has been cleared to practice.

Back in Week 3, Finley sustained a scary concussion that resulted in a loss of consciousness, memory loss and impaired vision. It's a great sign that he's practicing Wednesday. It puts him on track to play in Sunday's game against the Lions. During the first two weeks of the season, Finley proved to be a major part of the gameplan, totaling 11 catches for 121 yards and two scores.