NFC North Notes: Lions, Packers, Vikings

Lions

The Lions defensive line was expected to be a strength of the team entering the 2019 season following several high-profile additions in the past calendar year. However, injuries have meant Detroit has yet to realize its potential in that area and the Lions currently rank 28th in the NFL in stopping the run. Lions DT Damon Harrison, whose midseason trade a year ago was credited with shoring up Detroit’s run defense in 2018, says he’s responsible for the dip this year. 

“It really starts with me up front,” Harrison said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I have to do a better job in the middle and getting some of those plays that I’m used to making that I’m not making this year. It’s a lot of things that I can blame it on, but only thing I can do at the end of the day is just throw effort at it during the practice week and try to perform on Sundays.”

• Regarding the Lions’ decision to trade S Quandre Diggs on Tuesday, Dave Birkett explains that Detroit is not in sell-mode and felt that Diggs’ play had fallen off from last year.
• Birkett notes that missed tackles were an issue for Diggs this season and the Lions decided to be proactive about dealing him.
• According to Birkett, a few teams had shown interest in Diggs before they agreed to the trade with the Seahawks. 
• Beyond that, Birkett says the Lions are very high on their two young safeties, Tracy Walker and Will Harris. 
• Birkett also wonders if another move could be coming at some point like from Detroit. 

Packers

• The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman looks at several options the Packers have to bolster weak points on their roster, including inside linebacker, where the team could trade for Dolphins LB Raekwon McMillan or Bengals LB Nick Vigil. 
• If Green Bay wanted to bolster its pass-catching group, Schneidman lists Dolphins WR DeVante Parker, Falcons TE Austin Hooper and Buccaneers TE O.J. Howard as possible options. 

Vikings

• Per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, Vikings HC Mike Zimmer wouldn’t yet rule out WR Adam Thielen (hamstring) from Thursday night’s game: “We’ll see more tomorrow. He’s improving fast so he’s got a chance.”
• Vikings released CB Marcus Sherels. (NFLTR)