Shields ruled out for Cowboys game

GREEN BAY — Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Shields, the team's No. 1 cornerback, suffered a concussion in the season opener against Jacksonville. He left the game after a hard tackle of Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon and has not practiced or played since.

It is the second consecutive season in which Shields, 28, will miss at least four games with a concussion. A year ago, Shields' head slammed into the ground along the sideline at home against the Cowboys on Dec. 13. The injury, which Shields called the worst of his career, sidelined him for four games and more than a month of calendar time.

Still, Shields is making progress within the confines of the concussion protocol. Earlier this week, coach Mike McCarthy said Shields had returned to cornerback and defensive meetings, something he had not done in the weeks prior. He also posted a photo on his Instagram account expressing a desire to play and a message that he will be back soon.

Safety Chris Banjo (hamstring) and tight end Jared Cook (ankle) also were ruled out.

As expected, running backs Eddie Lacy (ankle) and James Starks (knee) were listed as questionable on Friday's injury report. Lacy was a limited participant in practice this week and, when he spoke to the media Thursday, said he is hopeful about taking the field Sunday.

Starks, meanwhile, remains on the East Coast after receiving news of a death in the family. McCarthy said Starks is scheduled to return to Green Bay on Saturday, and at that point the medical staff will assess the status of his knee.

"My understanding (is) he’ll be back tomorrow, so that’s where hopefully we can get our hands totally around his evaluation and determine his availability," McCarthy said. "That’s really where we are as far as the conversation with the medical staff."

Wide receiver Randall Cobb (neck), guard T.J. Lang (hip) and center JC Tretter (back) are all available for Sunday's game. They did not have designations on the week's final injury report.