NFC North Notes: C.J. Anderson, Lions, Packers

C.J. Anderson

After playing with one team, the Broncos, his first five years, Lions RB C.J. Anderson made Detroit his fourth different team in the past year when he signed this offseason. 

“You want to go where you’re wanted,” Anderson said via Nate Atkins. “I was really wanted here.”

Lions

• Per the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett, Lions CB Darius Slay and DT Damon Harrison could choose to skip mandatory minicamp next week as each seeks updated contracts. 
• Both players are underpaid relative to the other top contracts at their position and still have two years before another chance at the open market, when Slay will be 30 and Harrison 32. 
• However, Birkett says the Lions will be cautious about not setting a precedent for redoing contracts with two years left or tying up too much money in aging players. 
• The fine for skipping minicamp is $88,650. Both players have already forfeited $250,000 workout bonuses by skipping OTA’s.
• Birkett doesn’t believe either will continue their holdout into the fall unless they decide to force a trade.

Packers

Packers HC Matt LaFleur said a torn Achilles isn’t ideal in his first season as the head coach of a team, but he’s up to the challenge. 

“We’re all going to face a little bit of adversity,” LaFleur said via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Jim Owczarski. “You can’t let it hold us back. So that’s just kind of like my mindset, you know? It is what it is and you make the best out of whatever situation comes.” 

• According to Michael Lombardi, other Packers coaches have also had injuries such as pulling a calf during pickup basketball games.