GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers have not discussed shutting down Davante Adams for the rest of the season even if he clears the concussion protocol, coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday.

And it sounds like Adams, who has been concussed twice this season and three times total in the last 14 months, wants to get back on the field again in 2017.

McCarthy said that Adams remains in the concussion protocol but will take one of the steps toward a return on Wednesday.

“He’s pissed off,” McCarthy said. “He’s irritated. He’s angry. He wants to be out there. He’s our best perimeter player and he was knocked out of the game at a critical time in the game and now he can’t play again. I think it’s only natural. He’s irritated that he’s in this spot.”

It might have been the first time that McCarthy has referred to Adams as the team’s “best perimeter player,” and it underscored the importance of the fourth-year receiver’s future to the Packers. Adams is in the final year of his rookie contract and would be one of the most coveted receivers in free agency if the Packers don’t sign him to a new deal first.

Adams emerged last season as a possible star. He was second on the team behind Jordy Nelson in catches (75), yards (997) and touchdowns (12). This year, he surpassed Nelson in every category. He leads the team with 74 catches, 885 yards and 10 touchdowns. He ranks second in the NFL in touchdowns behind only Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins (12).

The Packers shut down quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Tuesday, placing him on injured reserve. With the playoffs out of the picture, there’s seems little reason to put Adams in harm’s way and risk his future just to play out the string this season.