Sam Shields full participant at Wednesday practice

Rookie cornerback Sam Shields was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice after being inactive the last two games with a calf injury. He first tweaked the muscle during the Monday Night Football game against Chicago, then was forced to leave the first practice afterward.

Shields returned to the practice field for the first time Wednesday as a full participant.

“I felt 100 percent today,” Shields said. “It was feeling better through the week. Today was my day to come out and just run and see how it is when I’m running. It felt good today.

“I should be able to (play Sunday).”

Shields won the nickelback job at training camp and held onto the position through the first three games. His best game came against Buffalo where he spent much of the day holding Lee Evan without a catch. Shield’s play seemed to improve each week before he felt something wrong against Chicago.

“I didn’t think nothing of it, I just kept playing,” Shields said. “(That) Wednesday, when I came to practice, that’s when I tried to burst and felt something.

“I don’t know (what happened).”

Jarrett Bush filled in at nickelback in the 28-26 win against Detroit and Pat Lee was the nickel in the 16-13 overtime loss in Washington. Bush took reserve safety reps in practice last week with Morgan Burnett out for the season and both Charlie Peprah and Derrick Martin dealing with nagging injuries.

Martin was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.

Shield expects to be ready for Sunday, but is being cautious.

“I want it to be 100 percent on the field. I don’t want to go out there and really tear it up and I can’t play the whole season. I don’t want to do that.”
Shields said he rotated in during practice Wednesday and didn’t work exclusively as the nickelback. He didn’t know what the coaches plans are regarding whether he will still be the No. 1 nickel.



(greenbaypressgazette.com)