GREEN BAY, Wis. _ Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields has entered the NFL's concussion protocol and won't return to the field until team doctors and an independent neurologist clear him.
Coach Mike McCarthy revealed in his news conference Monday afternoon that Shields had indeed suffered a concussion after being removed from the Packers' 27-23 victory at EverBank Field on Sunday afternoon.
Shields suffered his second concussion in nine months while making a tackle on Jacksonville Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon with just over 2 minutes left. The seventh-year cornerback was able to walk off the field on the own but after being evaluated on the sideline was taken to the locker room.
"Anytime any of our players is in the protocol and dealing with a concussion, it's a concern," McCarthy said. "That's why we'll evaluate Sam each and every day and most importantly to make sure he's healthy and goes through the challenges of what he's dealing with.
"It's a protocol. I think they do a great job, particularly our doctors, of taking it one step at a time. We definitely are aware of his history and that will factor in on how we move forward."
Under the NFL's concussion guidelines, Shields must now pass a series of tests before being allowed to practice again and once he makes it through a practice must receive the go-ahead from a neurologist not associated with the team in order to play in a game. The media is prohibited from speaking to Shields at the team's facility while he is in the concussion protocol.
Shields suffered a concussion against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field on Dec. 13 and missed four games, returning for the team's divisional playoff game at Arizona on Jan. 16. He said later that he blacked out as a result of hitting his head on the turf and suffered headaches for weeks afterward.
He called it the worst injury he ever suffered.
"Concussions _ one minute you feel better, the next minute you don't," he said in June. "You never know. I didn't want to risk something serious happening and then my career would be over with. I don't like them. The headaches are tough."
Based on Shields' recollection, this would be the fourth concussion he has suffered since college. What impact his concussion history has on when he might be able to return remains to be seen.
In the meantime, the Packers will probably stick with second-year pro Quinten Rollins as Shields' replacement. Rollins got benched in favor of LaDarius Gunter after giving up a pair of big plays in the first half Sunday, but returned later and wound up breaking up a pass in the end zone that would have given the Jaguars the lead with under a minute left in the game.
"I expect him to take care of business like he always has," McCarthy said. "He's had a chance to watch the video and it's been corrected and he'll be back in here roaring on Wednesday morning."
