NFC North Notes: Bears, Packers, Vikings

Bears

• Bears HC Matt Nagy said Friday that DT Akiem Hicks (knee) is a game-time decision for Sunday’s game against the Raiders. (Rich Campbell)
• According to Nagy, ILB Roquan Smith (personal) will start on Sunday unless there’s a setback: “I like where he’s at.”
• The Chicago Bears officially ruled out WR Taylor Gabriel (concussion), G Ted Larsen (knee), DT Bilal Nichols (hand), and QB Mitchell Trubisky (left shoulder) for Week 5 and list DT Akiem Hicks (knee) as questionable. 
• The Bears also have LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe (hamstring) as doubtful for Sunday’s game. 

Packers

New Packers OLB Tim Williams says he’s looking forward to being reunited with his former teammate, Za’Darius Smith, in Green Bay. 

“I like they’re getting a bunch of sacks up here,” Williams said, via Packers.com. “I see how Z’s playing more freely here, they’ve got the chains off him. That’s always a plus, seeing a guy you were on another team with, seeing he’s got three sacks already. I’m licking my chops. I’m just ready to attack the playbook and see where I fit in, special teams, it doesn’t matter. I just want to play.”

Packers DC Mike Pettine admitted that it’s going to take Williams some time to get up to speed in their system. 

“He’s a pass rusher that’s got some juice to him,” Pettine said. “It’s going to take a little bit of time just to work him in and get him acclimated and kind of see where he is. I know there are some similarities with what we do because of the roots of our system, being in Baltimore.”

• The Green Bay Packers officially ruled out WR Davante Adams (toe), CB Tony Brown (hamstring), and RB Jamaal Williams (concussion) for Week 5 and list DE Montravius Adams (shoulder), T Bryan Bulaga (shoulder), LB Oren Burks (chest), and LB Kyler Fackrell (shoulder) as questionable. 
• The Packers also have CB Kevin King (groin) as doubtful for Sunday’s game. 

Vikings

• Vikings HC Mike Zimmer was asked if WR Stefon Diggs will play in Week 5: “I don’t know. We’ll see.” (Chad Graff)
• Zimmer was then asked if Diggs would not play as punishment for skipping practice to which he replied: “He’s already been punished.”
• Tom Pelissero reports that the Vikings fined Diggs for skipping meetings and practice this week, which wasn’t the first time he missed a meeting this season. Pelissero adds that Minnesota wants to keep Diggs. 
• According to Pelissero, “as of now all signs point to Diggs being active Sunday against the Giants.”
• Regarding the situation involving Diggs, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that the Vikings are hoping this blows over while handling it internally.
• According to Fowler, this isn’t the first time Diggs has been frustrated with team dynamics.
• However, it’s still unclear to many what‘s actually making him upset, but it’s safe to assume his role in their offense is a big part of it. 
• The Minnesota Vikings officially ruled out CB Mackensie Alexander (elbow, groin) and LB Kentrell Brothers (hamstring, wrist) for Week 5.