Bears

Bears HC Ben Johnson talked about RB D’Andre Swift‘s vision and credited him for finding his way into the end zone.

“You get what you emphasize, and our guys know how important it is to get sevens instead of threes,” Johnson said, via Bears Wire. “It’s a credit to [Swift]. It’s a credit to the guys up front as well. I kind of feel them take it up another notch and they want to finish around the football and look to push the pile when we get down there tight. But we got a couple unscounted looks the other day and ‘Swifty’ was able to make something happen with those. So, credit to him for having great vision.”

Packers

Packers DE Micah Parsons made his long-awaited return to practice this week for the first time since suffering a torn ACL last year. Parsons isn’t sure exactly when he will return to game action, but he wants the moment to be fulfilling after a long road back.

“I just want it to be a surprise and I just want it to be a fulfilling moment for myself, the staff, and just to enjoy that day and not put too much pressure on that day,” Parsons said, via SI.com’s Bill Huber. “My family even been asking me, ‘You going to play? Should we buy flights to come out there?’ And I’m telling them, I still got two weeks of practice. Hey, we just got to pay for last minute flights. It is what it is.”

With all the missed time and the lack of conditioning, Parsons admitted he probably won’t be right back to the All-Pro level right away. He knows his effort isn’t going to waver, but thinks it’s going to take some time to get back to the star pass rusher we’re used to seeing.

“I think it’s realistic and I think I’m going to have terrible plays. I would say this: When I play, there’s two things that I don’t think anyone in this room or anyone on the team will ever question, and that’s going to be my effort and how I play every snap. I don’t think that my motor is going to change, dictate how I play. If I can’t do my motor, I’ll come off the field and I’ll come right back if I need air. I’m not going to be prideful about that. My conditioning right now is probably the worst it’s been in my career. That’s just the reality of it.”

“It’s just not realistic. My body’s not there yet. I don’t think my knee’s built for that yet. I didn’t go through training camp. So, am I going to be the All-Pro Micah, the person I once was this year? Probably not until later, after I go through all my phases and things like that, but I think what people will see is they’re going to see, ‘This guy’s ready to play football and he’s going to play hard and he’s going to help boost this defense, which is already doing a great job.’”

Vikings

The Vikings suffered their first loss of the season in Week 8’s 19-15 defeat to the Lions. Minnesota HC Kevin O’Connell cited a missed pass from QB Kyler Murray to WR Justin Jefferson in the second quarter that could’ve changed the game. 

“Thought we had a chance at Justin (Jefferson) on the play,” O’Connell said, via Alec Lewis of The Athletic. “I think it just got away from (Murray). It’s something you remember in the game, but we ended up scoring on the red-zone trip when I thought we had a chance. And then there was a third down.”

O’Connell thinks they have prepared really well for games, but they must stay consistent for a complete game. 

“We’re in November now,” O’Connell said. “And we’ve got to start working with the same urgency we’ve had. The preparation has been really good, but it’s just continuing to wait for that consistent four quarters of good football and see what that looks like.”

Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson said their recent loss was frustrating, but feels they are close to being contenders. 

“Yeah, it’s frustrating,” Hockenson said. “But we know how close we are, and I never waver with this team or this offense. We have some of the best players in the world at their position.”