Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finely is reportedly recovering in the intensive care unit at a Cleveland hospital and has regained almost all movement. According to ESPN’s Chris Mortenson, tests have all come back negative with more scheduled this week. Ian Rapoport of the NFL.com added even better news, reporting that Finley is expected to be released on Monday.
During a win over the Cleveland Browns on sunday, Finley was hit by safety Tashaun Gipson and had to be carted off the field. It sounded like he initially lost movement in some of his extremities, though the team later announced that he was able to move. Packers tight end Andrew Quarless described the frightening scene.
“He couldn’t move at the time,” Quarless said. “So I just told him, ‘Just stay here, just lay here, don’t move.’ That look he had in his eyes, that was something that stuck with me. It really hurt me just to see him like that. My brother was out there on the ground.”
Neck injuries are always particularly concerning, so it’s good to hear that Finley’s tests have come back negative. Gipson was flagged for helmet-to-helmet contact on the play, although he appeared to lead with his shoulder.
“[It was] all shoulder,” Gipson said. “The crown of my head did not go down whatsoever. It was a shoulder hit. I don’t know the place where it hit him exactly. I just know I saw him break out of the middle. He was running a slant. I’m driving on the ball. There’s a collision, and he’s down. I really haven’t watched the play, so I can’t really tell you what happened. I was just going out there playing physical.”
To me, it did not appear that Gipson had any malicious intent. Serious injuries aren’t always caused by head hunting. Here’s hoping Finley makes a full recovery.
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