Green Bay Packers TE Jermichael Finley likely heading to IR

According to CBS Sports’ Jason LaCanfora, the Green Bay Packers are preparing to place tight end Jermichael Finley on the season-ending injured reserve list:

"Finley, who suffered neck and spinal injuries Sunday during a game against the Browns, continues to make good strides in his recovery and, barring any unforeseen setbacks, will be released from the hospital Thursday.There are indications that Finley will be able to play football again, however, given the small sample size available in these cases and the areas of the body involved and the brutally physical nature of this game, there is more information that must be gathered and more specialists to see as Finley continues to rest at home and determine a plan for rehab and recovery.So while the future remains somewhat nebulous, the initial feedback from doctors has been positive. It is expected the Packers will place Finley on IR, given the magnitude of this injury and the various challenging factors at play, but at this point no decision has been finalized."

ESPN’s Ed Werder also reported today that Finley is expected to be released from the hospital on Thursday.

Finley also posted this tweet just a few hours ago:

Hopefully, Finley is given all the necessary medical information to make the best decision possible regarding his career and long-term health, even if that means retiring from the game earlier than anticipated. It’s still unclear if Finley will seek to continue his career after suffering a devastating spinal injury on Sunday as the result of a hit from Cleveland Browns safety Tashaun Gipson that knocked him unconscious.