Packers' Sam Shields will miss Sunday's game vs. Raiders

A concussion that will keep Pro Bowl cornerback Sam Shields from playing Sunday at Oakland will likely mean a bigger role for Packers rookie Damarious Randall.

After shutting down Dallas Cowboys standout Dez Bryant last weekend, Randall could be matched up with Amari Cooper, the Raiders' playmaking rookie.

"He's a complete receiver," Randall said.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Friday that Shields, who suffered the head injury in Green Bay's last game, wouldn't accompany the team on the flight to Oakland. The NFC North-leading Packers (9-4) are expected to go with a combination of Randall, fellow rookie Quinten Rollins and Casey Hayward as their primary cornerbacks against the Raiders.

"Definitely, the young defensive backs have done a good job, and they've had the whole week to prepare," McCarthy said. "So we'll be ready to go."

Randall, the Packers' top draft pick this year, took over for the injured Shields in the first half of Green Bay's 28-7 win over the Cowboys on Sunday with the primary responsibility of covering Bryant.

Randall didn't allow a catch by Bryant the rest of the game. Bryant's only reception, for nine yards, came early in the game with Shields on the field.

McCarthy and defensive coordinator Dom Capers have been impressed by Randall in his first NFL season.

"Really, the confidence has been there a long time throughout the season for him to step up and play," McCarthy said.

Capers touted Randall's transition from aspiring baseball shortstop in junior college to accomplished safety at Arizona State to dependable cornerback with the Packers.

"To come in and to go out on that island and play corner, that's a totally different role for him," Capers said.

The soft-spoken newcomer hasn't been fazed, however.

Randall leads the Packers with 14 pass breakups. He ranks second on the team with two interceptions, tied with Rollins and second-year safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

"We've challenged him at times, and he's done a nice job of stepping up," Capers said. "You've seen him make big plays in one-on-one situations. That's always encouraging. What our hopes are is you'll see him make more here in the month of December."

After contributing off the bench the first four weeks, Randall has started seven of Green Bay's last nine games. He missed the Dec. 3 comeback win at Detroit because of a hamstring injury.

Randall returned for the next game against Dallas, regained his starting job and rose to the occasion in his coverage of Bryant, who was targeted on six passes.

Now, Randall would relish a matchup between first-round picks from this year's draft.

Cooper, the No. 4 selection, leads the Raiders with 920 receiving yards on 62 catches with four touchdowns.

"His film speaks for itself," said Randall, who was taken by the Packers with the 30th pick. "He is a great, great receiver, and I'm just kind of looking forward to playing against him."

NOTES: Packers rookie receiver Ty Montgomery is frustrated by a chronic ankle injury that has kept him from playing the last two months. "I just can't play football like myself right now," said Montgomery, who was ruled out for Sunday. . Green Bay has four starters questionable for the game: DT Mike Daniels (hamstring), G T.J. Lang (shoulder/ankle), C Corey Linsley (ankle) and WR Davante Adams (heel).