McCarthy: Shields still in concussion protocol

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy spoke with the media Thursday morning in advance of his team's trip to the West Coast to play the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. Here are some brief highlights.

On Josh Sitton missing practice Wednesday: With Josh, just being smart with his reps. We’re deep into the season, and he has a lot of football that he has played.

On offensive line fighting through injuries: I think the offensive line has played well. We’re very consistent. Clearly one of the most consistent positions on our team, and it’s a credit to those guys battling. We’re deep into the season, and that’s how it goes sometimes.

On Sam Shields' recovery from concussion: Sam’s still in the protocol. I’m not exactly sure where he is.

On Damarious Randall's development: Really, Damarious started well. If you look at the game down in Chicago, he was the defensive game ball that I’ve stated in here a number of times. Really, he’s had to step up and play. I think Damarious and Quinten have both played well with their opportunities.

On playing unfamiliar Raiders: Unscouted looks are different in the fact you have a whole offseason to study somebody, and it’s really the highest at the first three or four weeks of the season. This is a different challenge because we play the Raiders once every four years. I would thinkt he highest challenge is personnel.

On playing at the O.co Coliseum for first time in his tenure: We’re not going to practice there, but we’ve definitely talked about the environment that we’re going to go into to. We’re probably touch on it again Saturday night.

rwood@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ByRyanWood