NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Packers

Bears

• Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune acknowledges the hiring of former Bengals OC Bill Lazor makes it more likely the Bears acquire Bengals QB Andy Dalton via trade this offseason, but points out that’s probably not the reason the hire was made. 
• Biggs hasn’t heard of any movement on a potential extension for LB Leonard Floyd, who’s playing out the final year of his fifth-year option in 2020.

Lions

Though the Lions probably would rather RB Kerryon Johnson not miss half of his second season with an injury, it did allow them to find RB Bo Scarbrough, who emerged late in 2019 with a 4.2 YPC in relief of Johnson. Detroit has tended to prefer sharing the load at running back among a number of players, meaning both Johnson and Scarbrough could figure heavily in their plans in 2020. Though Johnson acknowledged any running back would prefer to get the ball more, he said he’s looking forward to splitting time with his fellow Alabama native. 

“It makes a huge difference,” Johnson said via ESPN’s Michael Rothstein. “Any running back will tell you, every running back wants to be that guy, but in terms of longevity, career-wise, longevity of your season, it’s always better. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not going to affect your stats or what you can do. It just helps keep you going, years and years, game-after-game. Those days of just one guy, this game is just too physical.”

Packers

• Per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Packers HC Matt LaFleur said OT Bryan Bulaga “is feeling better today” and participated in Wednesday’s walkthrough practice.
• Did not practice Wednesday: WR Geronimo Allison (illness), TE Jimmy Graham (rest), WR Ryan Grant (personal)
• Limited practice Wednesday: RT Bryan Bulaga (rest), DT Kenny Clark (back), WR Allen Lazard (ankle), TE Mercedes Lewis (rest), OLB Preston Smith (ankle), RG Billy Turner (ankle), FB Danny Vitale (knee), CB Tramon Williams (rest)
• Packers signed CFL DB DaShaun Amos to a futures deal. (NFLTR)