The Packers paid TE Jermichael Finley his $3 million roster bonus that was due at 4 pm ET today.  It essentially guarantees that he'll stay in Green Bay for the 2013 season.  The ultra-athletic Finley has been an enigma through his first 5 NFL seasons.  He's flashed plenty of ability but has struggled with drops and game-to-game consistency.  Still, the fact that the Packers are willing to keep him around at the cost of $8.25 million means they still believe in their 2008 3rd-round pick.  He'll retain plenty of fantasy upside this season, especially with WR Greg Jennings' targets up for grabs.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Silverstein reports that it would be surprising if Packers TE Jermichael Finley left town. He mentioned "multiple sources connected to the team" sharing that view. Many had seen Finley as a candidate for release thanks to his big salary and lacking production. But HC Mike McCarthy stated earlier this offseason that he still wants the athletic TE around. Fantasy football players would just like Finley to approach his vast potential more often.

Jermichael Finley believes there's a "50-50" chance he'll be back with the Packers in 2013.  "There's no doubt that I want to be there for life," he said. "But it's a business and the business will tell you otherwise. I would say on the business front, it's 50/50. But if it was up to me or anybody in my circle, I would love to be back."  The talented-but-underachieving TE is due $8 million in 2013, including a $3.5 million roster bonus in March.  Based on pure production, Finley isn't worth that kind of coin.  He's missed games in 4 of 5 seasons and seen his TDs yo-yo from 5 to 1 to 8 to 2 over the past 4 years.  But Finley isn't even 26 years old yet and remains a tantalizing talent.  The guess here is that Green Bay brings him back, especially since they'll lose WR Greg Jennings this offseason. The team liked how Finley played down the stretch, when he averaged 4.6 catches and 57 yards over the final 7 games.  Although his chemistry with QB Aaron Rodgers remains a work in progress, there aren't a whole lot of other places Finley could go that would be better for his fantasy value.

The Packers coaching staff saw improvement from TE Jermichael Finley after the Week 10 bye.  “I really felt Jermichael Finley was a different man, a different player from the bye week on,” HC Mike McCarthy said. “I had an opportunity to talk to him about that at length in his exit interview, so I feel very good about the way he finished the year... There was a change in that young man.”  TEs coach Jerry Fontenot agrees.  “As the season wore on you could see a more confident guy on the field,” he said.  "I see him definitely in an ascending mode.”  The numbers back up those sentiments.  Over the season's first 9 weeks, Finley averaged just 3.2 catches and 30 yards per game.  He was sitting 23rd among TEs in fantasy points.  In his last 7 outings, Finley's averages spiked to 4.6 catches and 57 yards.  Only 7 TEs scored more fantasy points during that stretch.  He still seems capable of more, and the Packers are expected to bring him back at $8.25 million in 2013.  Finley has enough upside to make him worth targeting in fantasy drafts this summer after the elite guys are off the board.

Packers TE Jermichael Finley (hamstring) was on the field for practice on Tuesday.  He tweaked his hammy last weekend, but it shouldn't be an issue for Saturday night's showdown against the 49ers.  Finley posted a 7-47-1 line in a Week 1 game against San Fran.

Packers TE Jermichael Finley suffered a hamstring in Saturday night's win over the Vikings, but HC Mike McCarthy says it's "nothing of serious nature."  We'll keep our eyes on Finley's practice participation this week, but it sounds like he'll be fine for the Divisional Round game against the 49ers.  The hammy was clearly a problem last night though.  Finley played just 38 of 66 offensive snaps and caught only 1 pass.

Packers TE Jermichael Finley (shoulder) is active for today's game against the Cardinals.  He remains a TE2 in fantasy until he proves back to 100%.

Packers TE Jermichael Finley (shoulder) is probable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals. He continues to be limited in practice, though, so it's tough to believe he's at 100%. Until then, Finley is just a TE2 in fantasy.

Packers TE Jermichael Finley (shoulder) is active for today's game against the Jaguars.  He's still not at 100%, though, and is more of a TE2 in fantasy.

Packers TE Jermichael Finley (shoulder) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.  He was limited in practice all week, though, and admits that he's still not at 100%.  Finley has just 4 catches on 6 targets the past 2 games.  He's just a TE2 in fantasy right now.

Packers TE Jermichael Finley admits that his shoulder still isn't at 100%.  He originally suffered the injury in Week 5.  In the 2 games since, Finley has been on the field for 33% and 60% of the team's offensive snaps.  He's totaled just 4 catches for 43 yards.  Finley estimates that he's at 85% right now and that he'll be a full-go by Week 9 if he doesn't suffer a setback this weekend.  We'd still hang on to Finley in fantasy because of his athleticism and supporting cast.  But he's not a recommended starting option right now.

Packers TE Jermichael Finley (shoulder) is active for today's game against the Rams.  He's been a big-time bust this season.  And it's unclear if Finley is ready for a full complement of snaps.  He's just a TE2 in fantasy at this point.

Packers TE Jermichael Finley (shoulder) was limited in practice all week but is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Rams.  Playing through the injury last week, Finley saw just 24 snaps and 4 targets.  He's just a TE2 in fantasy at this point.

Packers TE Jermichael Finley (shoulder) is active for tonight's game against the Texans.  Houston ranks just 17th in fantasy points allowed to TEs, but a banged-up Finley is still a shaky fantasy option.

Packers insider Tyler Dunne hears that TE Jermichael Finley (shoulder) is expected to play against the Texans tonight.  It's unclear if the injury will hinder his play.  Finley has been struggling even at 100% this season, so we'd still only consider him a TE2 in fantasy.

Packers TE Jermichael Finley (shoulder) returned to a limited practice on Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday night's game against the Texans. It looks like he'll be a game-time call. Between the late start, the injury, and Finley's disappointing start, he's better off on fantasy benches this week.

Packers TE Jermichael Finley (shoulder) will not practice on Thursday.  HC Mike McCarthy is hoping to get him back on the field on Friday and hinted that he could be a game-time decision this weekend.  Between Finley's slow start, the injury, and a tough matchup against the Texans, he's better off on your bench this week.

Packers TE Jermichael Finley (shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday.  He seems optimistic about his chances of playing this weekend, but HC Mike McCarthy has been more guarded.  Consider Finley 50-50 to suit up against the Texans.  We'll have another upate tomorrow.

Packers HC Mike McCarthy says TE Jermichael Finley (shoulder) "has a chance" to play this weekend.  That'd suggest that additional testing on his injured shoulder revealed no significant damage.  Obviously good news, but Finley might be better off on fantasy benches for the time being.  He hasn't scored or topped 60 yards since Week 1.

Packers TE Jermichael Finley doesn't seem concerned about the shoulder injury that knocked him out of Sunday's game against the Colts. "I know if I'm hurt or not," Finley said. "Just didn't want to risk it going in again and reinjuring it. I'll be back in Houston for sure."  Good news.  But the fact that Finley was unable (or not allowed) to re-enter means it's more than just a little nick.  We should find out more about his status tomorrow.