A season-high 17 players — nearly a third of the Packers roster — were on the team's injury report at midweek as Green Bay prepares for Sunday's NFC wild-card playoff game against the Redskins, but two stand out: cornerback Sam Shields (concussion) and left tackle David Bakhtiari (ankle).
Neither practiced Wednesday.
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Although Shields hasn't played since Dec. 13, when he suffered a concussion against the Cowboys, he at least took part in practice last Wednesday and Thursday before being downgraded to doubtful and missing the Vikings game.
That he hasn't practiced this week is a surprise — and an apparent setback — as the clock ticks toward game day.
"Sam is still going through the protocol," coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Thursday. "It’s a process. Every injury is different, especially concussions."
On Sunday, the Packers' secondary — with or without Shields — faces a Redskins passing attack that has been clicking of late.
Kirk Cousins has thrown for 300 yards in three of Washington's four consecutive victories. The one game he didn't surpass that mark was Sunday's season-ending win over the lowly Cowboys, when he threw only 15 times, completing 12, including three for touchdowns.
With Shields out, rookies Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins have filled in. If Shields was to return, defensive coordinator Dom Capers would have to decide which of the two rookies would start on the other side.
Meantime, who'll be protecting quarterback Aaron Rodgers' blind side remains a question. Although Washington finished tied for 14th in the NFL with 38 sacks, more than half of them — 20, to be exact — came in the last four games.
McCarthy indicated that left guard Josh Sitton, who has filled in for Bakhtiari the past two games, definitely would not play left tackle this week. McCarthy also said it was unclear Thursday whether Bakhtiari would be healthy enough to play, either.
“Boy, I hope so," McCarthy said, when asked if Bakhtiari would be ready. "It’s going to take the week. The practice plan for him today is going to be adjusted, and we'll see how it goes"
McCarthy said earlier in the week that third-year pro JC Tretter was an option if Bakhtiari isn't available.
