NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Packers

Bears

The Bears defense is coming into this week’s game against the Saints looking to atone for their last performance before the bye. The Raiders led by first-round rookie RB Josh Jacobs ran all over Chicago in an upset win by Oakland in London, with their 169 yards on the ground nearly tripling the Bears’ average heading into the game. 

“It’s a wake-up call,” Bears DC Chuck Pagano said via Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times. “I wasn’t any good. We didn’t play well. We didn’t execute. . . . We got away from all the things that we did in the weeks prior, as far as playing great fundamentals, great technique, setting the edge. All the things are a hallmark of a great defense, we just didn’t do. . . . They were better than us. We’ve got another chance, thank God.”

• Per ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson, Bears HC Matt Nagy said QB Mitchell Trubisky took all the first-team reps in practice on Friday.
• Trubisky is still listed as questionable for Sunday’s game according to Nagy: “That’s where we have him at. He’s been doing good in practice. I like where he’s at. … So far, he’s stacked good days together.” (Kevin Fishbain)
• The Chicago Bears officially list G Ted Larsen (knee), DT Bilal Nichols (hand, knee), and QB Mitchell Trubisky (left shoulder) as questionable for Week 7.

Lions

The Lions have made a concerted effort under HC Matt Patricia to orient their offense around the running game. While all of the pieces are in place, from a strong offensive line to promising second-year RB Kerryon Johnson, it hasn’t quite come together the way Detroit would like just yet. 

“We’re always just one or two guys away,” Johnson said via Mlive.com’s Kyle Meinke. “It sounds so simple, but, you know, people know we want to run the ball, so they’re going to want to stop that, try to make us one dimensional. We try to do our best every game to not let that happen.”

Small mistakes, whether it’s a missed block or poor ball security, have hampered the Lions running game so far in 2019. 

“I’ve got mine in there,” Johnson added. “The thing about me, I’m not afraid to admit that. I’ll tell them that, I’ll tell you that, I tell my teammates that. If I mess up, especially Arizona — there were three runs I messed up. Last game, there were two I messed up. I can’t make a perfect read every time. But I try my best, and as long as you’re up front about that, it’s something your teammates can trust you on.”

• The Detroit Lions officially ruled out LB Ben Gedeon (concussion) for Week 7 and have LB Kentrell Brothers (hamstring) listed as questionable.

Packers

• Per the Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, Packers WR Davante Adams was optimistic about returning soon from his turf toe injury, albeit before being ruled out for this week against the Raiders: “This week is not out of the question. Next week’s not out of the question. The week after that. It’s gonna be day-to-day.”
• Packers DT Kenny Clark and CB Tramon Williams both missed practice earlier in the week more due to veteran maintenance than any actual injury per DC Mike Pettine: “That’s not a real alarm for us.” (Ryan Wood)
• Packers WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling is hopeful he’ll be able to play Sunday and is going to try to use all 48 hours between now and kickoff to rehab his knee and ankle. (Jim Owczarski)
• The Green Bay Packers officially ruled out WR Davante Adams (toe) and S Darnell Savage (ankle) and have WR Geronimo Allison (concussion, chest) and TE Robert Tonyan (hip) down as doubtful. 
• The Packers also list CB Tony Brown (hamstring), DT Kenny Clark (calf, back), and WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (ankle, knee) as questionable.