NFC Notes: Bears, Lions, Vikings

Bears

• According to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo, Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky visited a specialist in Los Angeles for his shoulder injury. It’s believed to be similar to the one that kept him out two games in 2018.
• Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune indicates Bears practice squad QB Tyler Bray could be unavailable for Chicago as a high-risk COVID-19 contact. 

Lions

• According to Tom Pelissero, the Lions must fly Matthew Stafford (COVID-19) on a private plane to Minnesota for Week 9 because he will still be within his five-day isolation window when the team departs on Saturday.
• Pelissero notes that Stafford will not be able to practice this week, but can play in Sunday’s Week 8 game if he tests negative for COVID-19 and has no symptoms. 
• Regarding Lions HC Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn‘s job stability, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated writes that the two are likely tied together and if one is fired, so would the other. 
• However, Breer also mentions that the Lions could still challenge for a playoff spot with their remaining schedule.
• Patricia said he couldn’t comment on Stafford’s availability for this week against the Vikings because it would indicate what his testing status was. (Courtney Cronin)

Vikings

Vikings RB Dalvin Cook was a game-changing factor for Minnesota this past week, scoring all four of the team’s touchdowns in a major upset of the division-leading packers. Cook racked up 163 yards rushing and three touchdowns, as well as two catches for 63 more yards and another touchdown, prompting a lofty comparison by HC Mike Zimmer.

“[Cook has] got such quick feet and acceleration,” Zimmer said via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “He runs hard, and runs physical. He’s a good leader. . . . I guess Emmitt [Smith] was a lot like that. Really good feet, quick accelerator. Powerful runner. Good vision.”