Packers cut Sam Shields, according to the cornerback’s Instagram

On Wednesday morning, Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields has announced via his verified Instagram account that he has been released by the team.

This news doesn't come as a real big surprise, given that Shields missed most of the 2016 season with a concussion suffered in the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This was his fifth documented concussion in seven seasons in the league.

Shields was an undrafted rookie free agent signed by the Packers in 2010 and was one of the heroes of the team's run to the Super Bowl XLV title that season.

Upon examination of Shields' Instagram post, it seems like his release has not sat well with him. Check it out here:

Careful examination of the hashtags reveal he felt he was getting better and this was a premature move by the Packers. While many fans had hoped Shields would call it a career after this latest concussion, it seems he really wants to continue his playing career.

When this move is formalized, it will allow the Packers to save about $9 million in salary cap space. 2017 would have been the final year of the 4-year contract that Shields signed prior to the 2014 season. He will cost $3.125 million in dead money this season, due to the prorated portion of his signing bonus.

That should give the Packers approximately $43 million in salary cap space, according to Overthecap.com’s projections and an estimated $168 million cap.

We’ll have more as it develops.

UPDATE: ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed the release with one of his sources later on this morning.