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GREEN BAY, Wis. -- For the second straight week, the Green Bay Packers spent Friday facing the possibility of playing without two of their four starting defensive backs. Last Sunday against Carolina, they got one of them back -- cornerback Tramon Williams -- but played without cornerback Sam Shields. A week later, they're again concerned about Shields, who has yet to practice because of the knee injury he sustained on Oct. 12 at Miami. The Packers listed him as doubtful for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. Davon House would make his second straight start if Shields can’t play. This time, the other issue is at safety, where Morgan Burnett has yet to practice this week because of a calf injury he sustained against the Panthers. The situation might be more troublesome this week considering the Saints' high-powered offense, which ranks second in the NFL in yards. On Thursday, coach Mike McCarthy expressed concern that Burnett's injury was not progressing as fast as he would have hoped. But on Friday, there was a hint of optimism in his voice. "Morgan was in here bright and early [going] through the treatments," McCarthy said. "He's obviously going through the Friday routine defensively with the walkthroughs and the classroom, so we'll give him every, plus it's a night game, too. We have more time." The Packers have options if Burnett can't play. They could start Micah Hyde, who lost his starting spot to Ha Ha Clinton-Dix last week, but still played as the nickel defensive back. Or they could go with up-and-comer Sean Richardson and leave Hyde as the nickel. Defensive end Datone Jones (ankle) was ruled out even though he practiced on a limited basis Thursday. "Datone, actually, he went for it yesterday," McCarthy said Friday. "I appreciate him out there pushing through it. Frankly, watching the individual work with Mike Trgovac, our D-Line coach, you could clearly see he's not ready. So he's not going to make it." Here's the full injury report: Out: DE Datone Jones (ankle) Doubtful: CB Sam Shields (knee) Questionable: S Morgan Burnett (calf) Probable: RB James Starks (ankle)
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