NFC Notes: 49ers, Bears, Packers

49ers

Former first-round DL Arik Armstead admits that he’s entering a prove-it year with the 49ers.

“For sure,” Armstead said, via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. “I’ve been hurt two years in a row, so that brings a lot of, ‘What are you going to do?’ So definitely [I] have a lot to prove and look forward to having a healthy season, and I know what I’m capable of if I’m on the field.”

“Of course, there are critics,” Armstead added. “Of course, fans want players to be out there and not be hurt, but part of football is being injured. I can’t control that. All I can control is, if I do get hurt, I try to rehab and get back healthy and play to the best of my ability.”

49ers DL coach Jeff Zgonina mentioned that Armstead will be asked to do a number of things for them this season.

“Arik’s going to do a lot of things for us this year,” Zgonina said. “I think he’s more comfortable this year than last year. We tried him at a few spots last year, and I think he’s really starting to feel comfortable at that big end spot and inside pass-rusher on pass downs. I think he has more of a defined role.”

Bears

New Bears HC Matt Nagy tells Dan Pompei of The Athletic that his offense in Chicago will be 70-80 percent similar to the one in Kansas City.

“It will be different in some regards, which is only fair to our coaches on offense and the ideas they have,” Nagy said. “But the identity is going to be the same. It will feel very similar to Kansas City’s. We’re in the lab now. That’s the fun part. All the coaches are giving their ideas and thoughts. Coach [Andy Reid] always said he had 51 percent of the say. So ultimately, he had final say. Now I have that. There are plays I liked that Coach [Reid] didn’t like, so now those plays are in.”

Packers

• Packers HC Mike McCarthy said they have no long-term concerns regarding the injury sustained by OLB Clay Matthews this past weekend after he was hit in the face by softball. (Wes Hodkiewicz)
• McCarthy added that Matthews’ surgery will take mid-week and he’s just glad he’s okay.
• According to McCarthy, they’re still trying to find a role for RB/WR Ty Montgomery: “We have to take advantage of Ty’s skills. There’s no question about that, and the offense is suited for that.” (Ryan Wood)
• Regarding S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix‘s absence, McCarthy said: “He’s had a personal situation that he’s attending to, I have no concerns.” (Rob Demovsky)