NFC Notes: Bears, Cowboys, Packers, Panthers & Rams

Bears

Bears HC John Fox told reporters on Sunday that he has been “impressed” by QB Matt Barkley and the job he’s done since taking over for them.

“He’s been thrown in on the road in Green Bay. He came in and started with a week’s work and performed well [against the Titans],” Fox said, via the Chicago Sun-Times. “And then really to come here [against the Lions] on the road against a good football team in a loud environment, I just continue to be impressed by the kid’s performance.”

• Bears WR Alshon Jeffery‘s four-game suspension for a violation of the policy on performance-enhancing drugs is over and he should be available for their Week 15 matchup with the Packers. (Jeff Dickerson)

Cowboys

• Cowboys owner Jerry Jones repeatedly said “no” after Sunday’s loss to the Giants when asked if Tony Romo could replace Dak Prescott. (Drew Davison)

Packers

• Ian Rapoport reports that Packers TE Jared Cook was held out of Sunday’s for precautionary reasons after suffering a lung contusion. According to Rapoport, the expectation for Cook moving forward is that he should be okay.

Panthers

Panthers HC Ron Rivera isn’t willing to rule out LB Luke Kuechly (concussion) for the remainder of the season.

“No. I’ll go along with what the doctors tell me,” Rivera said, via the Charlotte Observer. “That’s the truth of the matter.”

There was some optimism that Kuechly could clear the concussion protocol in time for Sunday’s game, but that proved to not be the case.

“Each time, whoever he sees has to be comfortable enough to allow him to take the next step. That much I know,” Rivera said. “What was said and what was decided, I couldn’t tell you.”

Rams

Rams RB Todd Gurley said they “looked like a middle school offense” against the Falcons on Sunday.

“We looked like a middle school offense out there,” Gurley said, via ESPN.com. “I mean, I’m going to be quiet. My mom said if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t even say it. I’m just going to leave it as that.”

“I don’t care if we’re out of the playoffs or not,” Gurley added. “Just come up, show up, play. That’s why we play this game. Show up, play.“