Jermichael Finley originally suffered a spinal contusion in Green Bay's win over Cleveland Browns on Oct. 20 of last season. Credit: Mark Hoffman

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Green Bay — Tight end Jermichael Finley will undergo testing on his neck with the Green Bay Packers' medical staff Wednesday, according to a source.

Finley originally suffered the spinal contusion in Green Bay’s 31-13 win over the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 20 of last season, and then had his vertebrae fused. Yet almost immediately, Finley made it clear he wanted to continue his NFL career.

To this point, Finley hadn't been cleared. Possibly this is a sign that the bone has healed, the key to Finley's recovery. Or possibly, this is a final check-up of sorts in Green Bay.

Either way, the Packers appear to be taking a step toward a decision on the six-year veteran this week.

The Packers’ medical staff is conservative by NFL standards and did not clear safety Nick Collins after his C3/C4 neck fusion --- Finley is believed to have also undergone a C3/C4 fusion himself. Further, Green Bay did add reinforcements at the position. In addition to re-signing Andrew Quarless, Green Bay drafted California's Richard Rodgers in the third round of the NFL draft, and the team was also willing to gamble on talented but troubled ex-Oregon tight end Colt Lyerla.

Green Bay currently has seven tight ends on the roster.

Suffice to say, this can still go in several different directions. Finley meeting with the Packers again is a first step.

Coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson have maintained optimism. On SiriusXM NFL Radio two weeks ago, McCarthy said Finley is "doing everything and beyond to get himself ready" and that “In my mind he is a Green Bay Packer."

Yet Green Bay did take its time with a decision on safety Sean Richardson, who had a fusion of the C5 and C6 on Jan. 15, 2013 and didn't return until mid-November. And if Finley is cleared by team physician Patrick McKenzie, the two sides would still need to iron out a contract. He's a free agent. There could be more money elsewhere for the tight end.

Back in March, the Journal Sentinel reported that Finley was at least two months away from being in a position to sign with a team.

The Packers' offense has always been more dynamic with the 6-foot-5, 247-pound tight end on the field. Finley had 25 receptions for 300 yards and three touchdowns in five full games last year and has 223 receptions for 2,785 yards with 20 touchdowns through his career.

On Twitter late Tuesday night, Finley tweeted "Miss This Guy. 88+12=? #IWillRiseAgain" with a picture of himself celebrating with Aaron Rodgers.

This week, the Packers will get a better idea of where Finley is at with his recovery.

“I just want them to be healthy,” McCarthy said of Finley and Johnny Jolly (neck) after the NFL draft. “And then with that, they’re obviously our players and we have strong interest in. We’ll see what happens after that. But I’m just being in communication with Dr. McKenzie and we’re watching their health situation.”