NFC Notes: Bears, 49ers, Lions

Bears

The Bears lost another game on Sunday in part because of issues at kicker, as Bears K Eddy Pineiro hooked a potential game-winning field goal wide left. While the stakes were lower than the infamous missed kick that knocked Chicago out of the postseason last year, Bears HC Matt Nagy still reiterated his confidence in Pineiro as Chicago’s kicker. 

“We love Eddy. We’ve got all the faith in the world in him. . . . It’s the NFL,” Nagy said, via the Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain. “It happens. How do you respond to it? I’m very, very comfortable knowing that if I’m in that exact situation again at that same yard line, I’m going to do the same thing.”

• Per ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson, Nagy says he is sticking with QB Mitchell Trubisky as the starter and he believes there’s still enough time this season to turn Trubisky’s performance around. 
• Bears worked out Eli Harold, Quinton Bell and Alex Barrett. (Aaron Wilson)
• Bears hosted OT Dino Boyd for a visit. (Aaron Wilson)

49ers

New 49ers WR Emmanuel Sanders stepped right into the starting lineup just days after being traded to San Francisco from the Broncos. Sanders just kept rolling from there, catching four of five targets including one for a touchdown as the 49ers stayed unbeaten and his former team dropped to 2-6 on a last-minute field goal. 

“It was probably one of the easiest touchdowns I’ve had, but it was awesome to get one on the opening drive,” Sanders said, via NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco. “To be a newcomer on this team and to open up like that is awesome.”

• According to Maiocco, the 49ers were also interested in trading for WR Mohamed Sanu before the Falcons dealt him to the Patriots. 
• Maiocco adds that San Francisco didn’t get the sense that the Bengals were willing to move WR A.J. Green, not to mention the team was wary of Green’s injury history.
• 49ers WR Marquise Goodwin returned to practice after missing this past week’s game with a personal issue. (Maiocco)

Lions

• Albert Breer reports that the Lions are open to trading CB Darius Slay. While it doesn’t mean Slay will be traded, Brees says Detroit is at least open to it. 
• Chris Mortensen mentions that the Lions do not want to trade Slay unless they get “top compensation such as a first-round pick and more. 
• According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the Lions could be one of the teams rumored to be interested in Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny.
• The Lions reportedly tried to trade for Penny the night Seattle drafted him in the first round and Detroit has been hit hard by injuries at running back. 
• While the team needs a running back, Birkett doesn’t see Chargers RB Melvin Gordon as a good fit given the team’s trade demands and Gordon’s expiring contract. 
• The Lions could also have interest in Falcons RB Devonta Freeman if he’s made available, or Raiders RB Jalen Richard. 
• Birkett mentions the Lions could pursue either Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson or Colts CB Quincy Wilson for help in the secondary. 
• Birkett doesn’t anticipate the Lions trying to trade CB Darius Slay until this offseason, if at all.