11:59am: Finley has a visit with a team lined up for Friday, Baratz also told PFT, though he declined to identify the club. Mike Florio speculates that it may be the Patriots, and also notes that even though Finley has been cleared by Dr. Maroon, he’ll still need to receive clearance from the doctors for any team that wants to sign him.
11:45am: Free agent tight end Jermichael Finley has received full medical clearance from Dr. Joseph Maroon, agent Blake Baratz tells Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). Maroon was the doctor who performed spinal fusion surgery on Finley following injuries to his back and neck last season.
Finley, 27, met with the Seahawks early in the free agent period, but failed a physical with the team, and was believed to be a few months away from receiving clearance and signing anywhere. Now that he has been cleared, Finley, who was voted by PFR readers as the best free agent still on the market last weekend, should draw renewed interest, particularly if he’s no longer linked to future compensatory draft picks after June 1.
The Packers have talked about wanting to bring back Finley, and the Seahawks, who hosted the veteran tight end for an early visit, may still have interest. Other clubs that could use a pass-catching tight end and have at least a little financial flexibility include the Falcons, Bills, Giants, and Chiefs. It’s also never safe to rule out the Patriots as a potential suitor for any tight end.
Although his 2013 campaign was marred by injuries, Finley was one of Aaron Rodgers‘ top weapons in Green Bay in previous years, averaging 58 receptions, 717 receiving yards, and five touchdowns per season in 2011 and 2012.