NFC Notes: Packers, Saints, Vikings

Packers

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers explained that he’s still asking a lot of questions to new HC Matt LaFleur and the offseason has “a lot of room to grow.”

“I think once we get going on some of the no-huddle stuff, that to me has always been what cements the offense into your head because you start simplifying things even more in no-huddle,” Rodgers said, via PackersNews.com. “So, I feel good about the offense. I feel good about the things we can do in it. But I think it’s just kind of in its infancy right now in training camp. I think it has a lot of room to grow and it’s going to be fun.”

Saints

Saints GM Mickey Loomis admitted that WR Michael Thomas‘ holdout “bothers” him but is hopeful to get a contract extension finalized. 

“It’s a reflection on the job we do. In a perfect world, this would be done & we’d both feel really good or really bad about it,” said Thomas, via The Times-Picayune. “I know Mike wants to be here. It’s not a question of him not wanting to be here.”

Saints HC Sean Payton is still confident that Thomas’ deal will be done “fairly soon.”

“It’s something that hopefully will be resolved soon,” Payton said. “I think his agent and Mickey, those guys are working on it, and I’m optimistic it’ll be done fairly soon.”

• Payton said DT Sheldon Rankins (Achilles) is rehabbing and “on schedule” in the road to recovery. (Herbie Teope)

Vikings

Vikings HC Mike Zimmer said CB Holton Hill may not “make the team” after being suspended the first eight games of the 2019 regular season due to multiple violations. 

“I really don’t have much thoughts on it,’‘ Zimmer said, via Chris Tomasson. “Disappointed is not a good word for me. … We don’t know if he’s going to make the team. So we’ll just see how that goes.”

• Regarding Vikings CB Mike Hughes‘ ACL surgery, Zimmer said the cornerback is “doing great” but is not ready to return to practice: “We’ll get him out here when the time is right Mike’s doing great He’s excited about getting back and we’ll just see where it goes ..Dr. Larsen, who did the surgery is excited about where he’s at right now. He’s just not ready to practice yet,” said Zimmer, via Tomasson. 
• Zimmer told reporters that DE Tashawn Bower suffered a torn Achilles. (Ben Goessling)
• Vikings CB Mike Hughes isn’t ready to practice yet, as he works his way back from a multi-ligament injury. (Courtney Cronin)
• Vikings DL Shamar Stephen isn’t expected to be out long, according to Zimmer.