GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Another week, another missed game for Sam Shields.
The Green Bay Packers cornerback has been in the concussion protocol for nearly a month after the blow to the head he suffered in the season opener at Jacksonville and was not cleared to play in Sunday night's game against the New York Giants.
"I had a chance to visit with Sam," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "He's going through the process. He's making some improvement. He will not be available this week."
There's growing concern about Shields' future given that this was his fourth concussion in the past six years. The concern exists even though ESPN's Adam Schefter reported last month that Shields intends to play again this season.
His latest concussion was his second in less than nine months. He missed four games late last season after a concussion he suffered when his head slammed into the ground at Lambeau Field against the Cowboys on Dec. 13. He returned for the playoff loss at Arizona on Jan. 16.
Shields visited a concussion specialist two weeks ago.
The bye week appeared to heal the rest of the Packers' defensive starters who had missed the Week 3 game against the Lions. Clay Matthews (ankle, hamstring), Morgan Burnett (groin), Datone Jones (knee) and Letroy Guion (knee) all returned to practice this week.