NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Vikings

Bears

Despite getting starting QB Mitchell Trubisky back from a non-throwing shoulder injury, the Bears’ offensive woes continued on Sunday with a 36-25 loss that was nowhere near as close as the final score suggests. Trubisky missed numerous open throws down the field and the Bears ran only seven times for 17 yards. Chicago is the only team in the NFL not to crack 300 yards of total offense yet this season. 

“Right now we have no identity,” Trubisky said via Larry Meyer of the team’s official website. “We’re just searching. We don’t have any rhythm. We’re not the offense we were last year, and every year is different, every game is different. We’ve just got to find ways, look within ourselves, and we’ve got to have guys step up.”

• Per the Athletic’s Adam Jahns, Bears HC Matt Nagy said he never considered benching Trubisky for backup QB Chase Daniel: “No, it never crossed my mind because there’s just so many parts of it.”
• Jahns believes it’s unlikely the Bears will bench Trubisky, at least for a while longer, as the team has so much invested in him and building his confidence. 
• Nagy’s play-calling has also come under fire for Chicago’s offensive struggles, especially in the ground game: “I know we need to run the ball more. I’m not an idiot.” (Pro Football Talk)

Lions

• According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, if Lions RB Kerryon Johnson has to miss an extended period of time with his knee injury, the Lions could look to trade for or sign help at the position. 
• Birkett mentions Dolphins RB Kenyan Drake and Bengals RB Giovani Bernard as potential trade candidates. The team could also re-sign RB C.J. Anderson, who remains a free agent. 
• Lions HC Matt Patricia relayed that Johnson told him on Monday he was fine after meeting with the doctors, though Patricia didn’t have an in-depth conversation with him. (Birkett)

Vikings

Vikings WR Adam Thielen said he’s optimistic about suiting up for Thursday’s game, despite the hamstring injury he suffered against the Lions. 

“We’ll evaluate it, see where it’s at after getting an MRI and then hopefully I’ll get ready to go,” Thielen said, via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “I’m optimistic that I’ll be playing and that’s all we can do right now.”

• Pro Football Talk reports that despite Thielen’s optimism about playing on Thursday, the Vikings are concerned that he’s not day to day and instead week to week.
• According to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, Vikings TE David Morgan‘s salary will increase to $735,000 next year even if his contract tolls because the NFL minimum for his classification will go up.