NFC North Notes: Lions, Packers, Vikings

Lions

• Ian Rapoport reports that Lions C Frank Ragnow suffered a minor ankle sprain after leaving Friday’s preseason game due to the injury. 
• Lions HC Matt Patricia said Ragnow and LB Jarrad Davis‘ (ankle) injuries are not considered season-ending. (Dave Birkett)
• Patricia added that Davis is not being considered for injured reserve. (Dave Birkett)
• According to Ian Rapoport, Davis has a high-ankle sprain that will likely cost him some time earlier on in the season. 

Packers

Packers OL coach Adam Stenavich praised second-round G Elgton Jenkins‘ ability to play with the first-team offense. 

“He’s very intelligent. He’s got all physical attributes you want from an interior lineman. … He’s one of those guys that moment is not to big for him. You can put him with first group, and he plays well. He doesn’t panic,” said Stenavich, via Ryan Wood.

Stenavich said Packers’ veteran G Lane Taylor has handled the competition with Jenkins “the right way” given his background as an undrafted free agent. 

“You know his background as a free-agent guy who’s earned his stripes. So I expected him to handle it the right way, and he has,” said Stenavich, via Wood.

• Stenavich also said Packers’ second-year G Cole Madison “obviously is rusty” but believes he will continue to improve: “He’s coming along. I think he’ll be, down the road, a guy we’re very glad we have.” (Wood)
• Packers RBs coach Ben Sirmans said RB Aaron Jones has made a lot of progress in the passing game after struggling last season: “I really don’t have a problem with him as a receiver, but even from a protection standpoint.” (Ryan Wood)
• Packers WRs coach Alvis Whitted praised WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling‘s ability to make consistent plays downfield: “He’s a guy who can blow the top off of a defense. Very fluid and very fast, he’s a guy who can make those plays downfield consistently.” (Wood)
• Whitted also said that Packers WR Jake Kumerow “has a knack” for making plays: “He’s not flashy, and you don’t have to be. At the end of the day, he makes plays. And he has a knack for getting open.” (Wood)

Vikings

• Ben Goessling reports that Vikings sat WR Adam Thielen for Saturday’s preseason game because they wanted to evaluate their receivers behind him and Stefon Diggs.  
• Tom Pelissero mentions that the Vikings’ thinking with Kaare Vedvik, who missed two field-goal attempts on Saturday from 43 and 54 yards, coming into today was his best shot was at punter and kickoff specialist anyway, but they wanted to see him get the reps at kicker.  
• Regarding Vedvik’s missed field goals, Vikings HC Mike Zimmer said is concern level is “high” right now: “I honestly don’t know. Since we brought Vedvik in, Wile has been punting good and Bailey has been kicking good. Then Vedvik goes out there and misses field goals, so I don’t know. I’m at a loss on that.” (Star Tribune)