NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Packers

Bears

Bears HC Matt Nagy said that Jordan Howard is still a “big part” of their offense, even though Tarik Cohen has seen more work in recent weeks.

“Jordan Howard is a big part of this offense, and I think that for us to continue to keep trying to grow, everybody in this offense has a role,” Nagy Monday, via ESPN.com. “This is not going to be an offense where it’s just one person and it goes through one person. I don’t necessarily believe in that. It’s great when you have everybody fulfilling different roles, and it’s hard for the defense when you do that.”

• The Bears hosted free agent OL Willie Beavers and Bryan Witzmann for visits before agreeing to a deal with Witzmann on Monday. (Howard Balzer)

Lions

Lions HC Matt Patricia said that franchise DE Ziggy Ansah‘s absence is solely related to his shoulder injury and not a case of him sitting out until he’s comfortable returning.

“Don’t make it anything more than that,” Patricia said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “That guy’s a competitive guy, he wants to play football. He’s trying to do the best he can to help this team. So he’s day by day, we’re taking it day by day. We’re trying to get him ready to go. As soon as he can go, he’ll help us.”

We have him featured in our Top 25 – 2019 NFL Free Agents list.

Packers

• Rob Demovsky reports that Packers CB Davon House, who is on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, is undergoing surgery on Tuesday in Los Angeles.
• Packers signed RB Tra Carson and WR Keon Hatcher to their practice squad. (NFLTR)
• Packers released RB Joel Bouagnon from their practice squad.