Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley is to undergo spinal fusion surgery in a bid to save his NFL career.
Finley is currently on injured reserve, having suffered a horrific neck injury during a win over the Cleveland Browns last month.
Many have predicted that Finley will struggle to play pro football again, but his agent Blake Barantz has claimed that surgery will prevent him from having problems when he resumes action.
Barantz said via a statement on NFL.com: "We have collectively determined that while surgery may not be 100% necessary, it is a proactive measure that should alleviate future risks with regards to a similar episode or re-injury.
"Once surgery has been completed, Jermichael has every intention of resuming his football career, and we fully support his efforts to do so."
The 26-year-old has been with the Packers since being drafted by the franchise in the third round of the 2008 Draft.
