NFC Notes: Lions, Packers, Vikings

Lions

Lions K Matt Prater said heโ€™s not sure of why heโ€™s struggled with his consistency this season after missing seven field goals heading into Week 17. 

โ€œI just havenโ€™t been as consistent this season as I would l like toโ€ฆ An inconsistent kicking season is icing on the cake,โ€ said Prater, via Michael Rothstein. 

  • Prater, who is an impending free-agent, indicated that he intends on playing in 2021 and is hopeful to re-sign with the Lions. (Kyle Meinke)
  • Lions C Frank Ragnow said he doesnโ€™t need surgery on his throat issue, which was more of a problem with his vocal cords, and that his breathing was never challenged. (Justin Rogers)
  • Ragnow added that he was unable to talk for two weeks: โ€œIt sucked. It definitely sucked. You definitely get a whole new perspective on taking everything in.โ€ (Dave Birkett)
  • OUT for Week 17: T Tyrell Crosby (ankle), G Joe Dahl (back), WR Kenny Golladay (hip)
  • QUESTIONABLE for Week 17: LB Jamie Collins (neck), C Frank Ragnow (throat), QB Matthew Stafford (right thumb, rib, ankle)

Packers

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers said heโ€™s still going through a โ€œgrieving processโ€ with LT David Bakhtiariโ€˜s season-ending knee injury and didnโ€™t receive any positive news from the lineman when speaking recently. 

โ€œI think itโ€™s still kind of in the grieving process for me,โ€ said Rodgers, via Ryan Wood. โ€œWas hoping for some good news. Didnโ€™t get it. Youโ€™ve got to move on, but right now itโ€™s still a little raw.โ€

  • As for the Packersโ€™ offensive line rotation for Week 17, LaFleur indicated that Sundayโ€™s line may not be the one he uses in the NFC playoffs, and โ€œmatch-ups will play a roleโ€ going forward. (Tom Silverstein)
  • Matt Schneidman thinks that the Packersโ€™ best option is to put G Elgton Jenkins at left tackle following the severe injury suffered by LT David Bakhtiari.
  • Packers HC Matt LaFleur pointed out that Bakhtiariโ€™s injury was a non-contact situation but thinks the linemanโ€™s work ethic will help him recover quickly. (Tom Silverstein)
  • In this scenario, OL Lucas Patrick would play left guard and OL Billy Turner would play right guard.
  • Tom Silverstein believes that G Simon Stepaniak could be an option despite the fact he missed most of the year with an ACL injury.
  • Silverstein also points out that T Jon Runyan Jr. was more than capable of holding his own during the times he was inserted into the lineup.
  • OUT for Week 17: T David Bakhtiari (knee), DE Kingsley Keke (concussion)
  • QUESTIONABLE for Week 17: G Simon Stepaniak (knee)

Vikings

Vikings OT Brian Oโ€™Neill said he would โ€œabsolutelyโ€ love to re-sign with Minnesota this offseason.

โ€œI love Minnesota, I love the Vikings, I love everybody here. I believe in our team, I believe in our locker room and I believe in our coaches and yes, absolutely,โ€ said Oโ€™Neill, via Chris Tomasson

  • Vikingsโ€™ veteran K Dan Bailey (back) said his availability for Week 17 will be a โ€œcollective decisionโ€ and that a decision should come on Saturday. (Chris Tomasson)
  • Regarding his three misses against the Buccaneers, Bailey called it a โ€œrough dayโ€ and feels he โ€œnever had a day like thatโ€ in his career. (Tomasson)
  • Vikings HC Mike Zimmer wouldnโ€™t indicate whether LT Riley Reiff (COVID-19) could play in Week 17: โ€œI donโ€™t know.โ€ (Tomasson)
  • Zimmer is confident that Vikingsโ€™ backup K Taylor Bertolet will do fine if asked to replace K Dan Bailey (back) for Week 17: โ€œHeโ€™s made them all. Should be fine.โ€ (Tomasson)
  • Vikings RT Brian Oโ€™Neill said he would be open to playing left tackle in Week 17 if asked to fill in for Reiff. โ€œIf they believe in me to do that, I will attack that responsibility.โ€ (Tomasson)
  • Vikingsโ€™ impending free-agent LB Eric Wilson feels it would โ€œbe greatโ€ to enter the open market this offseason if there is an โ€œopportunity that makes senseโ€ for him in 2021. (Tomasson)
  • OUT for Week 17: RB Dalvin Cook (not injury related), CB Cameron Dantzler (hamstring), DE Jalyn Holmes (groin), CB Chris Jones (groin), LB Eric Kendricks (calf), DE Ifeadi Odenigbo (chest)
  • QUESTIONABLE for Week 17: K Dan Bailey (back)

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