Packers’ Jermichael Finley leaves hospital but future is unclear

Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley’s football future remains in question, but he’s taken a major step toward recovering from the spinal contusion sustained in Week 7.

A person with knowledge of Finley’s condition told NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport that the tight end was released from the hospital Thursday.

At this point, surgery is not deemed necessary, though it is an option, and Finley might elect to have surgery to completely eliminate any future risk. According to Rapoport, Finley is walking and talking, has regained his balance and is doing well.

Packers Coach Mike McCarthy has indicated that Finley still was seeking opinions from specialists before any decisions are made on his playing status. Rapoport reported that there had been no determination on whether to place Finley on injured reserve.

Meantime, Cleveland Browns safety Tashaun Gipson, whose devastating hit Sunday at Lambeau Field injured Finley, said he was praying for him.

“I’ve been playing this game for 17 years now, and I’ve never been involved in anything like that,” Gipson said. “It was a scary feeling, scary sight, just seeing a guy’s body limp like that out there. You definitely never want to see something like that happen.

“All I can do is keep him in my prayers. I know he has family and he has kids. I’ve got kids. I know I wouldn’t want one of my kids to see their dad like that. My prayers are with him.”

Peyton Manning returns to practice

Peyton Manning returned to practice Thursday after the Broncos held him out a day earlier because of a minor ankle injury he sustained in Denver’s loss at Indianapolis last weekend.

It was his first skipped practice since joining the Broncos 19 months ago, the result of the pounding he took in his homecoming at Indianapolis last weekend along with the coaches’ desire to give him a day’s rest as the midpoint of the season approaches.

“Yeah, I thought he looked fine,” Coach John Fox said after Thursday’s practice.

Joining Manning on the practice field, at least on a limited basis, was right tackle Orlando Franklin, who missed last week’s game because of a sprained left ankle.

Cornerback Champ Bailey (foot) sat out practice again Thursday. Fox, who usually says injured players are “day-to-day,” said Bailey is “week-to-week” after aggravating his sprained left foot Sunday night.

Michael Vick might start Sunday

Eagles Coach Chip Kelly wouldn’t say it, but it appeared likely Thursday that Michael Vick will start Sunday when the Giants come to Philadelphia.

Vick on Thursday practiced successfully for a third straight day and is set to undergo his toughest physical challenge of the week Friday when he’ll test out his hamstring for the first time since he injured it on Oct. 6 against the Giants (1-6) in New York.

It’ll be the first time in almost three weeks Vick will turn it loose without holding anything back. The test will be straightforward. “Run 100 yards as fast as I can,” he said.

Nick Foles has quarterbacked the Eagles (3-4) in Vick’s absence, but he suffered a concussion last Sunday, when he threw for just 80 yards on 11-for-29 passing in a 17-3 loss to Dallas.

Foles hasn’t practiced this week and must pass a series of physical and neurological tests before he can return.

If both Vick and Foles can’t go, rookie Matt Barkley will be forced into the starting role Sunday. Last week, Barkley threw three interceptions in the fourth quarter.

Brett Favre to Rams? Not happening

Brett Favre dismissed the possibility of returning to the NFL with St. Louis, and Rams Coach Jeff Fisher declined to address reports he tried to lure the quarterback out of retirement to replace the injured Sam Bradford.

Favre told Washington sports station WSPZ-AM Thursday he doesn’t feel physically able to compete and expressed fear that he has been affected by concussions.

“It’s flattering, but you know there’s no way I’m going to do that,” Favre told the station.

Fisher changed the subject after practice, then said “Nice try” when asked whether the 44-year-old Favre could be ready to play. Bradford is out for the season with a knee injury.

“I don’t remember my daughter playing soccer, playing youth soccer, one summer,” Favre said. “I don’t remember that. I got a pretty good memory, and I have a tendency like we all do to say, ‘Where are my glasses?’ and they’re on your head. This was pretty shocking to me that I couldn’t remember my daughter playing youth soccer, just one summer, I think. I remember her playing basketball, I remember her playing volleyball, so I kind of think maybe she only played a game or two. I think she played eight. So that’s a little bit scary to me. For the first time in 44 years, that put a little fear in me. …

“I think after 20 years, God only knows the toll.”

Kellen Clemens, the Rams’ backup the last two seasons, will make his 13th career start Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks.

London lineup announced for 2014

The Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins will travel to London next year to take part in the NFL International Series, the league announced.

The NFL will hold three games at Wembley Stadium in 2014, with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons and Oakland Raiders as the designated home teams.

The lineup: Cowboys versus Jaguars, Lions versus Falcons and Dolphins versus Raiders. Dates are to be determined.