Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has admitted that it was "tough" to see tight end Jermichael Finley carried off the field with an injury he described as a football player's "worst nightmare".
Finley picked up the injury during his side's 31-13 win over the Cleveland Browns yesterday when safety Tashaun Gipson made contact with his head at the end of a 10-yard reception.
The game was delayed for six minutes while Finley received treatment for a neck injury, and Rodgers revealed that centre Evan Dietrich-Smith felt compelled to give his side a talk shortly before play resumed.
"There's not a whole lot to be said. Actually, Evan spoke up after that and said a few words. But it's a reminder how tough this game is. We put our bodies on the line, our future health on the line and obviously with Jermichael he was playing really well,"
"He's a great friend, great teammate. He's had a very good year for us. Injuries are a part of the game. But those are tough to see.
"Not being able to walk off the field I know, in the back of our minds, is kind of our worst nightmare."
The incident was the second time that Finley has been forced out of a match due to an illegal hit this season, having suffered concussion at the hands of Cincinnati Bengals safety George Iloka in week three.
Barney Corkhill
