McCarthy: Shields doesn't need practice to play
Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy met with the media Friday morning for the final time before his team departs for this weekend's game at the Carolina Panthers. Here are some highlights of his conversation.
On being on a regular schedule: Definitely. It’s good to be on a seven-day schedule. I actually liked the schedule last week, going up to Denver and practicing. I liked the way it worked out. A seven-day work week is obviously preferred.
On Sam Shields: Sam is getting better. This will be a big day for him. This is the S.T.A.A. day designed to give everybody a boost going into Sunday.
On whether Shields could play Sunday: I hope so.
On whether Shields needs to practice during the week to play in the game; I would say I would not need him to participate tomorrow, because we have history together. There’s hoops he needs to jump through, and he has not done that yet. It’s clearly in the hands of the medical team right now.
On Charles Tillman: Yeah, Charles Tillman, really for being in the NFC North for 10 years, he’s personally one of my favorite players to watch on the other side of the field. His instincts, the family man that he is, what he does in the community.
On Quinten Rollins’ neck injury: I don’t think it’s serious. Once again, I think any time you’re dealing with the neck, there’s definitely a high level of caution. This is the first time we’ve gone through an injury with Q. so we’re just being smart.
On Randall Cobb: He’s a winner. He wants to win. He’s an extremely passionate young man. He goes about everything the right way.
On Ty Montgomery’s status Sunday: I was optimistic yesterday watching him return kickoffs. He’s getting better.
On Clay Matthews’ ankle injury: Clay’s getting better.
On having full offense together on the field: That’s pro football. You have injuries each and every year. Yes, I would like to make tough decisions every week on the 53 and 46, but this is how it goes. We need to be productive and win with the players that are out there. That’s always our approach.