Listening to HC Mike McCarthy speak Friday afternoon at the NFL Scouting Combine, it’s almost impossible to imagine the Packers releasing Finley in an effort to save themselves from the $8.25 million they owe him in 2013. Finley is due a $3 million roster bonus next month, and while general manager Ted Thompson was typically coy – “I expect all of our guys to be on the team,” the GM said when asked about Finley – McCarthy spoke as if it’s a no-brainer that Finley will return.

“I thought Jermichael had probably the tale of two seasons,” McCarthy said, echoing his comments from immediately after the season ended. “I thought in the first half, he was kind of up and down, fought through the shoulder injury -- particularly played in the Houston game, which I didn’t think he had any chance to play in that game. Really in the second half, I thought things started clicking and he looked like his old self. I was very pleased with the way he finished the year.”

Finley caught a franchise tight end-record 61 passes and didn’t drop a single pass over the final six games (including playoffs) after dropping nine passes in his first 12.

Finley seems to have a tantalizing skill set, but drops have been a serious problem throughout his career and he tends to put the blame on some mysterious lack of chemistry with Aaron Rodgers. But over the last seven games, Finley averaged 4.6-57-.14, which equate to TE10 numbers over the course of a full season. HC Mike McCarthy said that Finley was a "different man" after the team's Week 10 bye, so Finley's strong finish may translate to 2013.

Packers WR James Jones is looking forward to more targets in 2013.

"It's exciting because it means more opportunities," Jones said. "As long as we can stay healthy, it means more opportunities for me, [Randall Cobb] and [Jordy Nelson]. When you lose playmakers like [Donald Driver] and if [Greg Jennings] doesn't sign back, that's two less guys we gotta give the ball to which means you're going to get a lot more action."

Could Jones register 100 catches in 2013?

"I think a 100-catch receiver is gone out of our offense just because Aaron (Rodgers) spreads the ball around so much," he said. "If anybody had a shot to get 100 catches, I'd probably say Randall because he's in the slot and he'll probably get a lot more targets.

"I can see me, Jordy and Randall getting about 80 catches a piece. I can see us all having over 1,000 yards."

Jones's ADP is going to be interesting to watch heading into 2013 drafts. He turns 29 in March, so he's still in his prime. He has finished in the top 5 in FP/target in each of the last two seasons and his TD rate (% of catches resulting in a TD) actually increased from 18.4% (3rd in league) in 2011 to 21.9% (1st) in 2012. Drops are no longer an issue and he's clearly a red zone favorite of Aaron Rodgers. Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson will hold more value on draft day, but we would not be at all surprised if Jones led the Packer WRs in fantasy points again in 2013.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers says he will NOT play in the Pro Bowl because of multiple injuries.

Packers WRs Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson returned to practice on Thursday.

This is good news for Aaron Rodgers, though it will be difficult to predict which Packer WRs will produce against the 49ers.

Packers WR Randall Cobb (ankle, probable) and Jordy Nelson (knee, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and are probable for Week 18. It appears that Aaron Rodgers will have a full complement of receiving options on Saturday. It's good for him, but it makes it tough to predict how the fantasy points will be distributed among the Packer receivers.

Packers WR Jordy Nelson (knee) was a full participant in practice Thursday and said in the locker room afterward that he expects to play against the Minnesota Vikings Saturday night.

Fellow WR Randall Cobb (ankle) was also a full participant, which means the Packers will have their top four receivers healthy and on the field come game time.

"I feel good," Nelson said.

Asked if he had any doubts he would play, he said: "No, none whatsoever."

This is great news for Aaron Rodgers and the offense as a whole, but it will be difficult to predict how the fantasy points will be distributed among Nelson, Cobb, Greg Jennings, James Jones and Jermichael Finley.

Asked whether he was confident he would play against the Vikings in the playoff opener next week, Packers WR Randall Cobb said, "100%."

Cobb's return will make it difficult to rank the Packer WRs, but with the way Aaron Rodgers spreads the ball around, they are all capable of big (or quiet) games.

Vikings Antoine Winfield, who suffered a broken right hand last weekend at Houston, left Sunday's game in the second quarter when the swelling and pain became too much and did not return.

If Winfield is not able to play against the Packers, it would be good news for Aaron Rodgers and Co.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (ankle, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 16. Rodgers tweaked his ankle against the Bears, but finished the game. He will be fine to play against the Titans.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (ankle) took full practice reps again Thursday. Rodgers tweaked his ankle against the Bears, but finished the game. He will be fine to play against the Titans.