NFC Notes: 49ers, Lions, Packers

49ers

The 49ers offense has received quite a bit of criticism this preseason, with most of it falling on the shoulders of QB Jimmy Garoppolo. Entering his third year with the team, Garoppolo’s starting to run out of rope, particularly with his five-interception streak in practice that transferred into a preseason game. He says that’s just a part of practice, however.

“A big part of that is it still being preseason, or in practice, you try things like that,” Garoppolo said via NBC Sports’ Marcus White. “You know, during a real game, you wouldn’t make that throw or that decision, but there’s a trust factor between quarterback and . . . whoever’s catching the ball. The more you try those things, you see who’s going to make the play for you in a crucial situation.”

Lions

Lions’ recently signed DT Mike Daniels said he is motivated for the 2019 season after being cut by the Packers earlier this offseason. 

“You’ll see how motivated I am,” said Daniels, via Matt Shoch of the Detroit News.

Former Lions and Packers OL T.J. Lang told Daniels that he will “fit in” with Detroit. 

“One of the biggest things he told me is that you’re at a place where you fit in,” Daniels said. “We have a lot of alpha-type personalities. Not a lot of fake tough guys, but actual tough guys. You’ve got guys who aren’t afraid to confront one another when things go wrong…”

Daniels added that he was “glad” to be cut by Green Bay after signing with the Lions and is “really excited” to be in Detroit. 

“Though when it happened, then I saw an opportunity to play with the Lions, I said, ‘Man, I’m glad I got cut.’,” said Daniels. “I’m really excited to be here. Really excited to be here.”

Packers

• The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman looks at options for the Packers to bolster inside linebacker after roster cuts, including recently-released 49ers LB Malcolm Smith, 49ers LB David Mayo, Buccaneers LB Corey Nelson or Chargers LB Nick Dzubnar. 
• Schneidman says the Packers could also look at either Bills RB T.J. Yeldon, Panthers RB Cameron Artis-Payne, Eagles RB Wendell Smallwood or Seahawks RBs J.D. McKissic and C.J. Prosise if any are released. 
• Schneidman adds the Packers could also consider exploring a trade for Bengals RB Giovani Bernard. 
• According to Rob Demovsky, the Packers will likely move on from G Lane Taylor if he ends up losing the competition for starting left guard to second-round rookie Elgton Jenkins. 
• Demovsky says Taylor likely won’t be content to be a backup and the Packers could flip his $3.1 million salary to someone else in exchange for help at inside linebacker or running back.