NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Vikings

Bears

• Bears G Cody Whitehair left Wednesday’s practice with a finger injury, but HC Matt Nagy said it is not considered serious. (Adam Jahns) 

Lions

The next time Lions QB Matthew Stafford throws a football in practice will be the first time in six days, as the Lions gave their starting quarterback an extended rest between joint practices with the Patriots and Texans. 

“I’m not 21 anymore, so it’s probably pretty good to, if you can find a place in the schedule where you think you can get some rest and just kind of feel fresh again, might as well,” Stafford said via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

The former No. 1 overall pick has established a reputation as one of the tougher quarterbacks in the league, so sitting out doesn’t come naturally to him. The 31-year-old Stafford battled a number of injuries in 2018, including broken bones in his back, but he said he hasn’t suffered any kind of setback in his recovery. 

“It’s not easy for me but it’s probably good for me in the long run,” Stafford said. “So something that Coach Patricia and I had talked about and probably the right thing to do. But it was good, gave me a little bit of perspective, let me coach the guys a little bit more on the sideline. But yeah, it’s not easy as a competitor to sit out, but it’s probably the smart thing to do.”

• According to Kyle Meinke, Lions DT Mike Daniels remains sidelined from the foot injury he suffered near the end of last season with the Packers. 
• Daniels had previously said he’d be ready for joint practices with the Texans this week, but the veteran did not make the trip down to Houston. 
• Lions HC Matt Patricia said Daniels is day-to-day and the team is just trying to “be smart with the whole situation as we go forward.”

Vikings

• Michael Lombardi says Vikings WR Laquon Treadwell isn’t so much available for trade as he is available for “giveaway”, as most believe Minnesota will cut the former first-round pick. 
• Vikings assistant head coach Gary Kubiak mentioned that second-round TE Irv Smith has impressed the team with how good he’s been blocking, per NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.
• Minnesota knew Smith was an explosive athlete and planned to move him around the formation as a move tight end, but he’s been better than expected operating inline.