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NFL Free Agency 2014: Jermichael Finley 'months away' from receiving medical clearance

The Steelers were more than likely just doing their due diligence on the injured receiving tight end, and they'll continue to do so until he's medically cleared to continue his career.

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There was a tidbit two weeks ago that serves now as sort of the unofficial Steelers launch into free agency speculation. Somehow or other, the Steelers were linked to free agent tight end Jermichael Finley, something that tantalizes the offense-based senses of many fans.

Recent reports indicate Finley is still "months away" from full recovery from a bruised spinal cord that cost Finley most of his 2013 season. His market may pick up at that time, but certainly no team will hold its breath waiting for him.

A lot can change between now and the midway point of training camp, though. The Steelers lost tight end Matt Spaeth around the middle of camp last year, and a large part of the reason the team signed him was because both Heath Miller and David Johnson were coming off significant injuries from the prior year.

The Steelers signed Michael Palmer to a 1-year deal earlier in the week, but he shouldn't be viewed as adequate insurance on either Miller or Spaeth.

The same could be said about Finley, who, when healthy, looks more like the higher-priced player those with a fortune in cap space can sign for the sake of playing in certain situations despite a three-down price tag. The Steelers definitely are not one of those teams, nor are they likely to use a receiver-first-second-and-third tight end.

Never say never, but the initial report never felt all that legitimate anyway - the Steelers' interest, if there was any, was most likely just their due diligence.