GREEN BAY, Wis. – Maybe the Green Bay Packers’ bye is coming a week too late.

When they began preparations on Wednesday for the New Orleans Saints, their final game before their week off, they did so without four key players – cornerback Sam Shields, safety Morgan Burnett, defensive end Datone Jones and running game James Starks.

Neither Shields nor Jones played in last Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers. Shields sustained a knee injury in the Oct. 12 game at Miami. Jones has missed the last two games because of an ankle injury.

Starks left Sunday’s game because of an ankle injury, while no injury was announced for Burnett during or after the game.

All four players were in attendance but did not take part during the portion that was open to reporters.

The full injury report will be available after practice.