NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Packers

Bears

Bears G Kyle Long (shoulder, I.R.) announced via his Twitter account that he underwent neck surgery on Tuesday.

Fifth year coming in I was no where near 100% and I did what I could to play and help our young team. As year went on (as a result of shoulder) things happened in proximity of shoulder that were unfortunate. Neck became an issue.

— Kyle Long (@Ky1eLong) December 20, 2017

Now is time for me to fix myself. Wanted you guys to hear it from me. I’m very excited about what the future holds for this team, and I’m jacked up about being healthy again

— Kyle Long (@Ky1eLong) December 20, 2017

Lions

Lions RB Ameer Abdullah admitted that being benched is “definitely frustrating.”

“It’s definitely frustrating,” Abdullah told the Detriot Free Press. “It’s definitely something that I just want to take in and do my best to grow from it. That’s it.”

According to Abdullah, he hasn’t been given an explanation for why he’s been benched.

“That’s something you’ll get better answers from Coach,” Abdullah said. “I don’t really have any answers for you.”

“(The benching is) definitely something to definitely reflect on for me personally, but at the same time, like I told you guys last time, I’m always going to trust the coach’s instinct and judgment because they’re the ones designing this plan to win,” Abdullah said. “And if that’s in the plan for that week, you’ve got to trust it. At the same, do my best to continue to be in the plan.”

Packers

Packers HC Mike McCarthy announced that QB Brett Hundley will reassume starting quarterback duties now that Aaron Rodgers is back on injured reserve.

“I think it’s in everybody’s best interest,” McCarthy said, via Wes Hodkeiwicz of the Packers’ official site. “I’m not going to sit here and fake who your quarterback is going to be. It’s important for Brett Hundley to get all the reps.”

Regarding Rodgers, McCarthy said the veteran quarterback was disappointed with the team’s decision to place him on I.R. and that returning to the active roster was a “challenge” for Rodgers.

“Aaron’s effort and everything he put into getting back to play shows you the will and the character of the football team,” McCarthy said. “He’s the leader. I think he did a lot of really good things in the Carolina game. To come back, that was a challenge for him. They’re an excellent defense. I think it shows you his competitive spirit and his will to be a champion. … He’s a special player. That’s stating the obvious. But he laid it out there for us.“