Mike Pennell
Green Bay Packers number-one corner Sam Shields has taken another step in the teams concussion protocol.
Shields isn’t expected to play against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, but he is taking part in meetings and making progress according to head coach Mike McCarthy.
Shields hasn’t practiced since week one.
Eddie Lacy / Starks
Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy, who hurt his ankle early in the second half of Sunday’s game against the Giants, practiced on a limited basis. There’s no word on whether not Lacy will be able to play on Sunday.
Lacy has rushed for 295 yards on 54 carries so far this season, averaging 5.5 yards per carry.
Fellow running back James Starks missed the practice due to an undisclosed injury.
Pennell & Goodson
Mike Pennell and Demetri Goodson are both eligible to play in Sunday’s game against the Cowboys after serving their four game league suspensions. The Packers have a one week exemption on both players, which means they don’t have to be activated or released until Monday at 3pm.
While it’s possible they could be cut, that scenario isn’t very likely. The Packers would have to release two players at some point to make room for Pennell and Goodson. The question is who?
The Packers started the season with a third quarterback, in Joe Callahan. It’s possible he could be cut and signed to the practice squad. Wide receiver Jared Abbrederis is also a possibility. He made the team as the seventh receiver but hasn’t had a single snap from scrimmage in the last two games.
It’s also possible the Packers could turn to the defensive side of the ball by cutting players like defensive linemen Brian Price and/or Christian Ringo. Price started the season on the practice squad but was added to the roster a few weeks ago.
Rodgers – completion percentage
The Packers spent additional time in meetings on Wednesday with their passing game. They’re looking for ways to improve that area of their offense.
Heading into the week, among qualified quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers is last in completion percentage at 56.1%. Mike McCarthy was asked on Wednesday what they need to do to improve Rodgers completion percentage.
AUDIO: Mike McCarthy on Aaron Rodgers low completion percentage :20
The Packers offense ranks just 25th in the NFL heading into the week, 12th rushing and 27th passing.
Running game
Sunday’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys (4-1) will feature the Cowboys top rated running game against the Green Bay Packers (3-1) top rated rush defense.
The Cowboys lead the NFL in rushing, averaging 155.2 yards rushing per game. Rookie Ezekiel Elliott has rushed for 546 yards and five touchdowns himself, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
Rookie quarterback Dak Prescott also gives the Packers defense something to keep an eye on. Prescott has rushed for 61 yards on 19 carries (3.2 avg) and scored three touchdowns.
The Packers meanwhile, in four games, are allowing just 42.8 yards a game.
Packers Flexed
The Packers October 30 game against the Falcons in Atlanta has been flexed by the NFL from a noon start to a 3:25 afternoon kickoff.