CB Sam Shields Released by Packers

The Packers have released cornerback Sam Shields, a move first reported by the cornerback himself in a post on Instagram.

Shields missed all but one game in the 2016 season after suffering a concussion in the season opener. It was his fifth documented concussion as a pro, and he’d been in the concussion protocol since early in the season.

He told ESPN reporter Rob Demovsky before the NFC Championship game that he was still experiencing headaches, but anticipated playing again, saying “It’s not over.”

The Packers, apparently, disagree, and finances play a major part in the decision. He was due to count nearly $12 million against the Packers’ 2017 cap, and releasing him now will save the Packers around $8 million.

The team also had to consider a potential suspension cutting into Shields’ 2017 season. He is facing two drug related charges after an arrest last fall.

Shields joined the Packers as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2010 season, just over a year after switching from wide receiver to cornerback at Miami University. As a rookie, he was a key player in the Packers’ 2010 Super Bowl run, recording two interceptions in the NFC Championship tilt with Chicago.

He went on to play six more seasons with the Packers, earning a Pro Bowl spot in 2014. However, due to injuries he never played a full season, never participating in more than 15 games in a single year. 

He finishes his Packers career with 18 career interceptions and one sack.