NFC Notes: Lions, Packers, Panthers

Lions

• Per Tim Twentyman of the team website, Lions interim HC Darrell Bevell said they will continue to monitor QB Matthew Stafford‘s health this week ahead of Week 17’s matchup against the Vikings. 
• Stafford says he wants to play in the finale despite dealing with a number of injuries and the Lions already being eliminated from the playoffs. (Kyle Meinke)
• Stafford doesn’t think he’ll need surgery this offseason on his injured thumb. (Justin Rogers)

Packers

Packers second-round RB AJ Dillon hadn’t seen the field much up until Sunday night despite Green Bay’s investment in him. Not only was he behind two other strong running backs but COVID-19 hit Dillon hard and knocked him out for five weeks. But against the Titans, Dillon was a monster, more than doubling his season totals by rushing 21 times for 124 yards and two touchdowns. 

“AJ was great,” Packers QB Aaron Rodgers said via the Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. ” … As a young player, there are plays throughout the game that almost surprise you. You surprise yourself and you get that confidence bump right away. I think he had a few of those plays where it felt like he might have been tackled quickly and breaks out of it and turns a 3-yard gain into an 8-yard gain. …I’m really happy for him. He’s a good kid. He’s been through a lot this year, obviously, with COVID and the issues with that, but it’s good having him back.”

• Packers HC Matt LaFleur said he thinks OT Rick Wagner‘s knee injury isn’t a long-term issue. (Rob Demovsky)

Panthers

• Per the Athletic’s Joe Person, Panthers HC Matt Rhule said RB Christian McCaffrey will “probably” not play in Week 17 against the Saints. 
• Rhule defended winning against Washington even though it dropped Carolina’s draft pick several slots: “I was in Philadelphia when the Sixers were in the ‘trust the process,’ tanking thing, and they haven’t hung one in the rafters, yet.” (Person)