NFL Rumors: Seahawks interested in Jermichael Finley, months after career-threatening injury

Oct 20, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley (88) celebrates a play during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Seahawks are reportedly one of five teams interested in signing former Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley, according to The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin.

Finley has come a long way since suffering a neck injury in October that almost ended his career.

In the fourth quarter of a game against the Cleveland Browns, Finley caught a pass across the middle of the field before getting hit in the helmet by Browns safety Tashaun Gipson.

After being treated by medical personal, Finley was carted off the field on a stretcher and taken to ICU. There, he was was diagnosed with a spinal cord contusion.

He wrote about the experience a week after his injury in MMQB with Peter King:

"I was very conscious, but I could not move. I looked my teammate Andrew Quarless directly in the eye and whispered, “Help me, Q. I can’t move; I can’t breathe.” The scariest moment was seeing the fear in Q’s eyes. I knew something was wrong, but his reaction verified it. That really shook me up."

Despite suffering temporary paralysis following the hit, Finley has regained all movement and is getting close to being cleared to play football again.

Finley was having a pretty good season before the injury, recording 25 catches for 300 yards and three touchdowns. In his six-year career, all with the Packers, he has caught 223 passes for 2,785 yards and 20 touchdowns.

The Seahawks are interested in signing the veteran because both Anthony McCoy and Kellen Davis are free agents and there is still a possibility that the team may release Zach Miller.