After finally making his way from prison back to an NFL field, defensive end Johnny Jolly's 2013 season ended prematurely when he was placed on IR with a neck injury.
A free agent, Jolly hasn't seen much interest from teams as he waited to be medically cleared. The 31-year-old now has one foot over that hurdle.
Jolly's agent, Jack Bechta, told the Green Bay Press-Gazette that the defensive end has been cleared by his doctors from his C-5/C-6 spinal fusion surgery.
Now that he is medically cleared prior to training camp, teams could begin to take interest in the 325-pound lineman, who started eight games last season. However, Jolly will also have to gain medical clearance from any team that wants to sign him -- which, as we've seen from other players, isn't as easy.
The Packers haven't shut the door on bringing Jolly back and have a roster spot open after Johnathan Franklin's release due to a neck injury. Green Bay remodeled the defensive front this offseason, getting more svelte and versatile. Even if Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy want to give Jolly one more shot, the Packers boast one of the stingiest medical staffs in football, so clearance isn't a given.
If it isn't in Green Bay, Jolly -- assuming he gets team clearance -- should get a tryout as a rotational player who can eat up snaps against the run.
*The latest "Around The League Podcast" ranks the league's top tight ends and debates Andrew Luck vs. Cam Newton. *
