NFC Notes: Bears, Packers, Vikings

Bears

Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky was named the starter coming out of camp this year in a slight surprise given Chicago’s trade for QB Nick Foles this offseason. While the competition was close, several beat reporters thought Foles had a slight edge. However, Trubisky’s leash was short and he acknowledged his play Sunday against the Falcons used up any slim margin he might have had. 

“The only thing I can control is me playing better when I have those reps in the first half, and I didn’t do that,” Trubisky said, via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “So I gave [Nagy] the opportunity to pull me. He did.”

Packers

Green Bay’s decision not to significantly address their receiving corps this offseason, especially early in the draft, caught a lot of heat from NFL opinionists. But without Davante Adams, the Packers receiving corps stepped up in a big way in Sunday night’s 37-30 win against the Saints, and none came up bigger than WR Allen Lazard with six catches for 146 yards and a touchdown. 

“Allen’s been just such a consistent performer for us,” Packers HC Matt LaFleur said via Wes Hodkiewicz of the team website. “He’s earned everything that he’s gotten. I think he has got the respect of all his teammates. I can speak for the coaches, he’s got all our respect, and he has become a really, really consistent high-level player for our offense.”

• According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, the Packers believe LB Christian Kirksey‘s shoulder injury could keep him out until after the bye and potentially a little longer. 
• Packers HC Matt LaFleur said the decision to keep DT Kenny Clark inactive was precautionary last night: “We want to be mindful that this is a long season. He did everything in his power to come back. We’ve just got to make sure he can go.” (Ryan Wood)

Vikings

• Per Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, Vikings HC Mike Zimmer didn’t give any update on when DE Danielle Hunter might be activated off injured reserve now that he’s eligible: “I don’t know. Whenever the doctors tell me he can.” 
• Vikings TE Irv Smith was fined $7,752 for an illegal crackback block in the third quarter of Week 2’s loss to the Colts. (Tomasson)