Jermichael Finley is an Intensive Care Unit, according to ESPN, after taking a blow to the head Sunday that left the Green Bay Packers tight end motionless on the ground. Finley was taken off the field on a stretcher and taken to a hospital after Cleveland Browns safety Tashaun Gipson led with his shoulder and struck Finley on the top of his helmet with 10:31 to play in the fourth quarter. Gipson drew a personal foul on the play.
Jermichael Finley injury update: Packers TE hospitalized in ICU
Jermichael Finley is still in an Intensive Care Unit after suffering a severe blow to the head during the Packers’ win over the Browns on Sunday.
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
[UPDATE: Per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, a source called Finley’s overnight stay at the hospital “precautionary,” adding, “he’s going to be fine.”]
There is no word yet on Finley’s long-term status. According to Packers blog Acme Packing Company, an update from the organization may not come until Tuesday.
From the looks of the hit, the exact nature of the injury is unclear. CBS commentator Kevin Harlan noted later in the game that Finley had feeling in all his extremities, so hopefully this means that there will be no long-term damage. Given the Packers’ guarded nature when it comes to player injuries, it probably won’t be until Monday or Tuesday that the team updates the media on his condition.
Finley’s agent, Blake Baratz, tweeted early Monday urging fans to keep Finley in their thoughts and “be patient.”
Thank you 2 every1 4 the well wishes regarding @JermichaelF88. Keep him in your thoughts & be patient. Football doesn't matter right now.
— Blake Baratz (@blakebaratz) October 21, 2013
Finley’s prospects of returning to the field should take a back seat to his overall condition. Fortunately, the Packers confirmed late Sunday that Finley had feeling and movement in his extremities, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.
Finley has been an important part of the Packers’ offense this season, with 25 receptions for 300 yards and three touchdowns through six game appearances. He had five receptions for 72 yards and a score before leaving Sunday’s game.
The play left several Packers players shaken up emotionally, including fellow tight end Andrew Quarless. Via Demovsky, again:
“That look he had in his eyes, that was something that stuck with me,” said Quarless, who said he shed a tear at the time. “It really hurt me just to see him like that. My brother was out there on the ground.”
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