Jermichael Finley To File Insurance Claim: Report - Deal With Steelers Questionable

Nearly a year after suffering a terrifying on-field injury that left him requiring spinal fusion surgery, NFL free agent and tight end Jermichael Finley hasn't quite given up on his desire to one day play football again. But just in case that doesn't pan out the way he hopes, he's started looking into a back up plan.

An anonymous source has reportedly told USA Today that Finley has begun the potentially lengthy process of filing a claim on his insurance policy - worth $10 million. 

The injury occurred on Oct. 20, 2013, and according to the source, the insurance claim can be paid out as early as one year to the day after the incident, which would take us to about a week from now. 

The policy reportedly states that Finley is eligible to claim the money if he hasn't played in four games since the injury, which he hasn't; he's played in none. It also would not prevent him from playing football in the future, so he could cash in on the claim and still play in the NFL as early as later this season.  

"Pittsburgh have showed me a couple deals, but we all know the money ain't what it's supposed to be," Finley told USA Today Sports in July. "If I quit the game right now, I can take tax-free money, and that's a difficult thing that I'm going through with myself ..."

Pittsburgh Steelers neurosurgeon Dr. Joseph Maroon performed the delicate surgery on Finely last year and cleared him to begin working out again in May. Finley has been working out five hours a day ever since and has reportedly worked out for the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots and, as Finely noted, the Steelers have shown some interest in signing him.

In six seasons in the NFL, Finley has 223 catches for 2,785 yards and 20 touchdowns.