Written by Rob Demovsky at ESPN.com
he concussion that ended Sam Shields’ 2016 season has also ended his tenure with the Packers. The veteran cornerback was released on Wednesday, he posted on his Instagram account.
Sam Shields Has Been Released From The Green Bay Packers😡 #SevenStrongYears #IWasGettingBetter #TedThompson #RussBall #CoachMcCarthy #StillMad #AtleastLetMeRetireFromThePack #BusinessIsBusiness #BouncebackShields #whenIGetHealthyI’llBeBack🏈 #ThatsHowTheGameGo #ImDone✌🏾#ThanksGreenBay🙄 #Ring #Probowl #Money #NowWithMyFamily #NoMoreFreezingWeather #EverythingHappensForAReason #IWillAnnounceIt🗣
The Packers announced the move later Wednesday, with a failed physical designation.
Shields, 29, missed all but the opening game last season. He suffered the fourth known concussion of his NFL career on Sept. 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and never returned. That came nine months after a concussion kept him out for a month late in the 2015 season. Over the past two years, he has played in just two of a possible 23 games, including the playoffs. Shields had one season left on the four-year, $39 million contract he signed in 2014.
According to a source, Shields does not intend to retire and plans to continue his career.
Last month, Shields said he was still experiencing headaches from his latest concussion.
“Some days it’s tough headaches, some days it’s mild,” he said during an interview in Atlanta following the NFC Championship Game. “It varies. I never know. I’m so used to it that it’s just normal. Like I said, each day it’s getting better. I’ll be back.”
Shields had been at home in Florida since he was arrested in Green Bay in October on drug charges, but he rejoined the team for the NFC title game.
At that time, he said he intended to play again but indicated that he understood it might not be with the Packers.
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