NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Vikings

Bears

Bears WR Anthony Miller started 2019 slow with just four catches in his first four games. However, the sophomore wideout caught fire in a five-game stretch late in the season where he totaled 33 catches for 441 yards and two touchdowns. Offseason surgery on his left shoulder was part of the reason for Miller’s slow start and unfortunately it’s something he’ll have to deal with again after reinjuring his left shoulder in Sunday’s regular-season finale. 

“It’s unfortunate it happened, and you’ve got to stay positive about it,” Bears HC Matt Nagy said via the Chicago Tribune’s Colleen Kane. “We’ve got to make sure that we keep him mentally in it, and then when we get back to training camp, we pick up from there.”

Lions

Lions DT Mike Daniels is ready as ready for a new year as any player in the NFL. After becoming a cap casualty on the eve of training camp in Green Bay, Daniels signed with Detroit but was unable to fully shake his injured foot. He played in nine games and had only one sack and ten total tackles, finishing 2019 on injured reserve. Daniels says that was more precautionary as the Lions weren’t competitive, and he’s ready to come back healthy in 2020. 

“Just get back to the lab,” Daniels said via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “This isn’t the first time I’ve missed time and didn’t go to the playoffs, so get back to work. Things’ll turn around and that’ll be about it.”

• Lions’ veteran DT Damon Harrison posted on Twitter that he did not holdout for a new contract during OTAs and minicamp, but instead missed training to look after his children while his wife was on bed rest through the majority of her pregnancy.
• Harrison called 2019 the “toughest season of my career” after failing to accomplish his individual goals and said he has “tough decisions” to make this offseason. 

Vikings

• Per the official team Twitter account, Vikings RB Dalvin Cook said he’s ready to go for Sunday’s wildcard game against the Saints after missing time late in the season with a shoulder injury: “I feel refreshed. I’m going to be ready to go. I’m going to be at full strength. Looking forward to a good football game.”
• Vikings HC Mike Zimmer said LB Eric Kendricks should play Sunday, while the team just has to “wait and see” if third-round rookie RB Alexander Mattison will. (Chris Tomasson)
• Vikings DE Everson Griffen can earn a $500,000 bonus if he stays on the active roster through the postseason after notching eight sacks this year. (Ben Goessling)