Free-agent tight end Jermichael Finley has finally received medical clearance, his agent, Blake Baratz, told Pro Football Talk Live.
Now, Finley should have a little less trouble signing on with an NFL team. Already, Finley is expected to visit one team on Friday.
Finley’s agent, Blake Baratz, said on Thursday’s PFT Live that Finley has received clearance from Dr. Joseph Maroon. The Pittsburgh neurosurgeon performed the fusion of the C3-C4 vertebrates in Finley’s spine following a spinal cord contusion suffered during the 2013 season.
Finley still has to be cleared medically by the doctors employed by a team interested in signing him. Baratz said Finley will be making a team visit on Friday; Baratz declined to name the team, citing a request made by the organization for silence.
New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle tried to recruit Finley at the start of the offseason, and the Giants remain thin on the depth chart at tight end. Right now, third-year player Adrian Robinson is pencilled in as the team’s starter. But in three career games played, he’s yet to haul in a reception.
Behind Robinson is Kellen Davis, who was signed away from the Seattle Seahawks, as well as Larry Donnell and Daniel Fells. In other words, the Giants make sense as a potential landing spot for a talented receiving threat like Finley.
Finley was close to joining the Seahawks in March, but a failed physical nixed the deal. Finley was only four months removed from neck surgery at that point. Like New York, Seattle isn’t too strong at the tight end position. Zach Miller is currently projected to be the starter, with Luke Willson and Anthony McCoy rounding out the depth chart.
Earlier this month, the Green Bay Packers wouldn’t shut the door on a potential Finley return. Coach Mike McCarthy said he still considers Finley a member of the Packers, and that the team would pay attention to his medical situation. Andrew Quarless and Brandon Bostic are projected starters for Green Bay.
Pro Football Talk mentions the New England Patriots as the team Finley may be visiting Friday, given the team’s history of bringing in veteran players coming off injury. Regardless, it’s a positive sign for Finley that certainly bolsters his chances of signing with a team for the 2014 season.
