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          NFL Nation

          Packers concerned about Morgan Burnett

          • Rob Demovsky, ESPN Staff WriterOct 23, 2014, 06:15 PM ET
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              Rob Demovsky is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Green Bay Packers. He has covered the Packers since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2013. Demovsky is a two-time Wisconsin Sportswriter of the Year as selected by the NSSA. You can follow him on Twitter at @RobDemovsky.
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          GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy came away from Thursday's practice encouraged about running back James Starks and defensive end Datone Jones, but safety Morgan Burnett was another story.

          Unlike Starks and Jones, who returned to practice, Burnett was unable to go for the second straight day because of a calf injury, leaving his status in doubt for Sunday's game at the New Orleans Saints.

          "My concern for Morgan is higher than it was yesterday," McCarthy said after Thursday's practice. "Hopefully with today and what goes on tomorrow, we'll see if he can do anything Saturday."

          Both Jones (ankle) and Starks (knee) were limited participants in practice.

          "I had a better look at James than Datone," McCarthy said. "I thought James, he looked pretty good."

          If Burnett can't play, the Packers could be without two of their four starters in the secondary because cornerback Sam Shields (knee) also did not practice. He missed Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers.

          The Packers likely would start rookie Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and second-year pro Micah Hyde at the two safety spots. The two had been splitting time but Clinton-Dix, the Packers' first-round pick, took over as the starter last week against the Panthers.

          "I think they'll be fine," safeties coach Darren Perry said of Clinton-Dix and Hyde. "I mean it's still early [in the week]. Morgan's a veteran guy and if he misses a practice or two, he'll still be fine. Every situation's a little bit different but we're preparing that if we don't [have Burnett], we've got two guys and Sean Richardson. He's ready to go. He's champing at the bit."

          After a disappointing 2013 season, Burnett leads the Packers with 59 tackles (including 49 solo stops) according to the coaches' count based on film review. He also has a forced fumble.

          "He's a lot more confident with the scheme, [and] the communication's been excellent," McCarthy said. "I think he's having a better year this year than he did last year."

          Here's the full injury report:

          • S Morgan Burnett (calf, did not practice)

          • DE Datone Jones (ankle, limited participation)

          • CB Sam Shields (knee, did not practice)

          • RB James Starks (ankle, limited participation)