NFC Notes: Bears, Giants, Vikings

Bears

On Monday night, the broadcast crew caught Bears HC Matt Nagy swearing at QB Mitchell Trubisky during a drive in the first half. Nagy has reportedly been frustrated with the third-year passer as he continues to adjust to the new offense, however, Trubisky says it was normal communication between the two. 

“That’s what you want from your head coach,” Trubisky said via NBC Sports’ J.J. Stankevitz. “You want passion, and it wasn’t anything malicious. We were just on the same page and we were getting fired up and we were just communicating and he definitely got his point across and I love to see passion out of my head coach. When you get that and, it’s really a non-issue, it’s not a big deal at all. It really didn’t — I didn’t even notice it at the time. We were just communicating and we ended up going down and scoring at the end of that drive, if I remember correctly, so no big deal at all and I love to see that out of coach Nags.”

• Bears DT Akiem Hicks missed practice again with a knee injury and his status is up in the air for Sunday per Nagy: “I think he’s truly going to be a game-time decision.” (Stankevitz)
• Bears WR Taylor Gabriel remains in the concussion protocol. (Jeff Dickerson)

Giants

Giants RB Wayne Gallman said inheriting the team’s starting role is a “big opportunity” following RB Saquon Barkley‘s injury. 

“I view it as a big opportunity, an opportunity I’ve had since I came into the league,” Gallman said, via ProFootballTalk. “It’s unfortunate for my brother to go out, but this is what I’ve prepared for, this is what I have been preparing for, so I’m ready for it.”

Giants QB Daniel Jones said it is “extremely important” to improve after fumbling twice in his Week 3 debut. 

“Yeah, it’s extremely important,” Jones said, via ProFootballTalk. “I think, like I said, there is a whole lot that I need to clean up to do better. I’ll focus on that, I’ll lock in on those things this week and hopefully play better on Sunday. I’m looking forward to that.”

Vikings

Arguably the best receiving tandem in the league, the Vikings duo of WRs Adam Thielen and WR Stefon Diggs have seen their numbers suffer as a result of Minnesota’s focus on re-inventing their offense to a rush-oriented attack. Thielen has 11 catches on 16 targets for 173 yards and two touchdowns while Diggs has 12 targets, 6 catches, 101 yards and one score through three games. Thielen said both he and Diggs understand their new roles and are willing to do what it takes to win. 

“Yeah and that can be tough as a receiver as a competitor but at the same time I know he wants to win and everybody on this team wants to win,” Thielen said via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. “Whatever that takes, we’re going to do. And yeah, it would be great to get more opportunities and try to help this offense move the ball and ultimately help this team win, but when we don’t need to, that’s great for us. When Dalvin is running the ball and our offensive line is blocking the way they’re doing and we’re able to win games, let’s keep going to what works and what helps us win.”

• Vikings WR Josh Doctson is targeting a November 10 game against the Cowboys, the first week he’s eligible, for a return from injured reserve with a hamstring injury: “For sure, absolutely. That’s the target.” (Chris Tomasson)