Getting things started with the Packers parting ways with two injured veterans: RB James Starks, and CB Sam Shields.
Shields had suffered a concussion in Week 1, and wound up on injured reserve. He was charged with marijuana possession last month. According to Pro Football Talk, he is still dealing with headaches from the concussion, but is also still wanting to play.
Starks had suffered a knee injury in October, which required surgery, and then was in a traffic accident in December (a semi hit his SUV), in which he, too, suffered a concussion. This story in the Green Bay Press-Gazette speculates that the Pack might re-sign him for less money, but it also notes that he’s 31.
Neither move is terribly surprising; I’d been reading speculation about Shields’ release for weeks, and given Starks’ age and recent spate of injuries, I don’t think that the Packers saw him as being part of their plans for '17.
It also saves the Pack a shit-ton of money off their cap. Not that they were starved or anything, but it’s pointless to keep guys on the roster when they’re such a liability. Too bad. I liked shields a lot too…
Cap space was undoubtedly a factor (as it usually is with releases at this time of year). I agree; Shields had generally been a very good DB for them (though he’d also show flashes of mediocrity).
My suspicion is that his concussion was pretty serious (given that he’s admitting that he’s still suffering from headaches, 6 months later), and the pot charges probably didn’t help (though I think I’d rather have my players using pot for pain than Vicodin or other meds).