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Our friends at Football Outsiders have reached the NFC North juncture of their annual post-draft needs series for ESPN.com. You'll need an Insider subscription to read the entire file but I can provide you a snippet of the needs that Outsiders' statistical analysis points to for each of our teams.

Chicago Bears
Need: Offensive line
Excerpt: Left tackle J'Marcus Webb "led the league with 15 offensive penalties in 2011."
Seifert comment: We've been through this before. Outsiders suggests the Bears seek a swing tackle via free agency, but indications are that the team envisions 2008 first-round pick Chris Williams in that role.

Detroit Lions
Need: Cornerback
Excerpt: Free-agent acquisition Jacob Lacey "ranked 81st in success rate against the pass last year and 88th in 2010."
Seifert comment: The Lions prioritize the havoc they can create with a dynamic defensive line over whatever shortcomings they might have in the secondary. Lacey will compete with Aaron Berry and perhaps rookie Dwight Bentley for a starting job.

Green Bay Packers
Need: Backup quarterback
Excerpt: "If any injury causes [Aaron] Rodgers to miss action, the Packers are looking at trotting out either super raw seventh-round rookie B.J. Coleman or undrafted and utterly untested third-year man Graham Harrell."
Seifert comment: In 2008, the Packers set a precedent of using an untested backup in Matt Flynn. There isn't league-wide certainty that Harrell is prepared to be a No. 2 in 2012, but the Packers are more likely to use him in that role than sign a veteran free agent.

Minnesota Vikings
Need: Middle linebacker
Excerpt: "There's no evidence suggesting that [Jasper] Brinkley can handle the full slate of middle linebacker duties."
Seifert comment: All indications are that Brinkley will get the first chance to replace E.J. Henderson. There isn't a notable alternative on the roster, but it's a position where a temporary starter could be signed during training camp. But the Vikings are committed to getting younger and Brinkley is 26.

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- If the nose tackle and middle linebacker represent the gut of a defense, then it's safe to say the Minnesota Vikings have signed themselves up for plastic surgery this season.

(Too much? I liked it. Come on. Lighten up.)

The takeaway from my time with Vikings coach Leslie Frazier on Wednesday morning was that he will have a new starting nose tackle in 2012 and is close to deciding on his next middle linebacker. Fifth-year player Letroy Guion will replace the released Remi Ayodele at nose tackle, while Frazier indicated that Jasper Brinkley is his top choice to start at middle linebacker.

Both players are longtime backups and draft choices of newly promoted general manager Rick Spielman, and their anticipated ascension is a reasonable illustration of how Spielman hopes to run the franchise.

Guion was a fifth-round pick in 2008 and has started three games over four seasons since then. His newly-prominent role became clear when the Vikings signed him to a three-year contract earlier this month that will pay him $2.5 million. Ayodele was subsequently released.

"We want him to be the starting nose tackle," Frazier said.

Brinkley, meanwhile, was a fifth-round pick a year after the Vikings selected Guion. He was the backup to starter E.J. Henderson in 2009 and 2010, starting six games after Henderson's broken leg in 2009, but missed all of 2011 because of a hip injury.

"We believe he is healthy now," Frazier said. "And he has started for us when E.J. was injured in the past. We think he is capable of doing it. We just haven't had him do it for 16 weeks. But we think he's about ready to take that role. We'll determine that in the weeks and months to come."

Doctors have cleared Brinkley for all football activities, and if there was any hesitation in Frazier's response, it should be attributed to the universal NFL caveat at this time of year. The Vikings have 10 draft picks, including seven of the top 138, and a starting-caliber middle linebacker could be a target.

Absent that event, however, the chances seem high that Brinkley will team with Erin Henderson and Chad Greenway to form the Vikings' 2012 trio of linebackers. During that 2009 stretch, Brinkley proved to be a physical run-stopper who is most likely not going to be on the field in nickel situations.

Again, everything could change after the draft. But regardless of the ingredients, it seems likely the Vikings will have a new defensive gut in 2012.

The NFL's relatively depressed market for linebackers allowed the Minnesota Vikings to bring back starter Erin Henderson at a low-risk rate. After an encouraging season as a first-time starter in 2011, Henderson agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $2 million, according to Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Our friends at Pro Football Focus (PFF) have been singing Henderson's praises all offseason, concluding he had one of the best performances of any 4-3 outside linebacker in 2011. Among PFF's finds from a season-long analysis: Henderson led all players at the position by making a tackle on 16.1 percent of the plays he was on the field for. He also had the highest percentage of "stops," which are tackles that led to an offensive failure in the running game.

PFF: "Just looking at tackle figures you might not be drawn instantly to his name, but Erin Henderson made more positive defensive plays relative to how much he was on the field than any other linebacker, and showed a real knack for shedding blocks and affecting the play. Against the run he wasn’t just having a good season, but there may not have been a better player in the NFL at his position last year."

Henderson expressed frustration via Twitter recently about the seeming lack of urgency to re-sign him, but the reality is the market value for linebackers has either dropped or at best stayed flat as the NFL continues its shift toward the passing game and pass defense.

In any event, the Vikings can now say they have two of their three starting linebackers under contract in Henderson and Chad Greenway. It's not clear who will start at middle linebacker, where long-term starter E.J. Henderson remains on the market. One possibility is Jasper Brinkley, but he missed all of 2011 because of a hip injury.

A few newsbits from Thursday:

Item: The Detroit Lions re-signed tight end Will Heller and also signed defensive end Everette Brown.
Comment: Heller is back for another year as the Lions' third tight end, presumably at a lower salary than the $1.2 million he was scheduled to earn in 2012. Brown is a former second-round draft pick who didn't make much impact in three years with the Carolina Panthers and San Diego Chargers.

Item: The Minnesota Vikings are scheduled to host Baltimore Ravens free agent cornerback Chris Carr on a visit, according to multiple reports.
Comment: Carr has been a starter on one of the NFL's better defenses, but a hamstring injury limited him to one start last season. He is very much the definition of the second-tier free agent market.

Item: New Chicago Bears running back Michael Bush hasn't spoken yet with starter Matt Forte, who didn't react well Thursday to his arrival.
Comment: Hopefully no one takes out their anger on Bush. Forte's issue is with the team, not him.

Item: The Lions hosted Bears free agent cornerback Corey Graham on a visit Thursday.
Comment: The Lions have an opening for a starter after Eric Wright's departure, and Graham is looking for an opportunity to play more cornerback in addition to special teams.

Item: Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch's five-year contract is worth $25 million, including $11 million guaranteed, according to Anwar S. Richardson of Mlive.com.
Comment: As my NFC West colleague Mike Sando noted, the market for inside linebackers has been flat for a while, probably due to the NFL's passing focus. For context, consider that former Vikings middle linebacker E.J. Henderson signed an almost identical contract six years ago.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

As an unrestricted free agent, tight end Kellen Davis had a chance to test his market value. He did just that, and after a trip to visit the Dallas Cowboys, Davis returned to the Chicago Bears with a two-year deal that will pave the way for him to become a significant factor in their passing offense.

The Bears have vowed to use the position more under new offensive coordinator Mike Tice, and coach Lovie Smith has been singing Davis' praises for years. Now, barring the Bears making an unexpected play at another veteran tight end, Davis has a great opportunity to prove he can be the two-way blocking-receiving tight end the Bears envision he could be.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• The Bears think they can provide the right environment for receiver Brandon Marshall to succeed, writes Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune.
• They're also hoping his story about Sunday's altercation in New York City holds up, writes Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune spoke with Rasheedah Watley, Marshall's high school sweetheart who has a civil lawsuit pending against him. Watley: "Brandon thinks he can bash people and get away with it because he has gotten away with it so I don't see why he'd think he can't get away with it again."
• Bears general manager Phil Emery has put his reputation on the line in this trade, writes Melissa Isaacson of ESPNChicago.com.
• Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press on the Detroit Lions' monster contract agreement with receiver Calvin Johnson: "The Lions stood at the stake blindfolded, hoping the execution would be quick and painless. Guaranteeing $60 million for a wide receiver is a pretty big bullet, but the Lions had to take the hit. It would have been worse had they let these renegotiations linger, further bloating their salary cap while risking the ire of their lone genuine superstar and their long-suffering fans, who finally can see a little light after decades of darkness."
• The Lions will host former San Diego Chargers left tackle Marcus McNeil on a visit beginning Thursday, according to Tim Twentyman of the team's website. They have also hosted receiver Ted Ginn Jr. and will host former Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jacob Lacey.
• Johnson never considered walking away, writes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
• The receiver market has grown nicely for Green Bay Packers receiver Greg Jennings, who has one year remaining on his contract. Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel explains.
• Jennings is currently on a trip to Africa, writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• There is no word on center Scott Wells' status with the Tennessee Titans, writes Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• The felony strangulation case against Minnesota Vikings cornerback Chris Cook has gone to the jury, notes Dan Wiederer of the Star Tribune.
• There is no standing offer to bring back Vikings linebackers Erin Henderson or E.J. Henderson, writes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.
• The Vikings persuaded new tight end John Carlson to leave Kansas City before taking a visit with the Chiefs, writes Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

The Minnesota Vikings' roster moves Saturday were more symbolic than they were surprising.

It has been clear for some time that cornerback Cedric Griffin would not return in 2012, and the recent injury history of guards Steve Hutchinson and Anthony Herrera made now a logical time to part ways with them as well. The trio were three of the team's longest-tenured players, with a combined 19 years spent in some fashion with the organization, and their departures mark the start of what is expected to be a major roster overhaul under new general manager Rick Spielman.

A few thoughts:

• The departures clear more than $10 million in salary cap space, giving the Vikings a little more than a $20 million surplus this offseason. That's enough for them to be a significant player in the free-agent market if they choose to.
• Unless there have been contract talks that have gone unreported, another longtime veteran could follow these players out the door. Middle linebacker E.J. Henderson is a pending free agent and dealt with a balky knee for much of last season.
• Releasing both starting guards is a strong indication that the Vikings will draft USC left tackle Matt Kalil at No. 3 overall and move former left tackle Charlie Johnson to one of the guard spots. I would consider the other starting guard spot fluid at this point.
• Hutchinson made it through six years of the landmark seven-year contract he signed prior to the 2006 season. The Vikings made him the highest-paid guard in NFL history, believing he was a unique player for the position and one they could build the rest of a championship line around. Indeed, Hutchinson was named an All-Pro in the first four of those seasons before injuries slowed him down. He probably would have been good for another year, and perhaps he'll play elsewhere in 2012, but the Vikings deemed his $7 million cap hit too high for a rebuilding scenario.
• We discussed Hutchinson's candidacy for the Pro Football Hall of Fame last summer. He is a seven-time All-Pro, was a member of the NFL's all-decade team of the 2000s and was one of the best players at his position during this generation.

» AFC Free-Agency Primer: East | West | North | South » NFC: East | West | North | South

Free agency begins Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET

Chicago Bears

Key free agents: Tight end Kellen Davis, running back Matt Forte (franchise), cornerback Corey Graham, quarterback Caleb Hanie, defensive end Israel Idonije, cornerback Tim Jennings, quarterback Josh McCown, safety Brandon Meriweather and receiver Roy Williams.

Where they stand: The Bears will have the most salary-cap space among NFC North teams, upwards of $30 million, and have plenty of potential uses for it. Quarterback Jay Cutler needs more targets in the downfield passing game, whether it's at the receiver or tight end position. And new general manager Phil Emery must start restocking a defense led by four players more than 30 years old: Linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, defensive end Julius Peppers and cornerback Charles Tillman.

What to expect: It's widely believed the Bears will be in the running for free-agent receiver Vincent Jackson. But Jackson's price tag could be steep and no one knows if Emery will prove to be a big spender. It seems likely he will re-sign Davis, and Emery should also save some of his cap space to extend Forte's contract. Secondary receiver targets could include Marques Colston. Bears fans are hoping the team will pursue defensive end Mario Williams, but it's hard to imagine the Bears budgeting for Williams two years after breaking their bank on Peppers.

Detroit Lions

Key free agents: Defensive end Cliff Avril (franchise), left tackle Jeff Backus, safety Chris Harris, quarterback Shaun Hill, linebacker DeAndre Levy (restricted), running back Maurice Morris, running back Kevin Smith, quarterback Drew Stanton, linebacker Stephen Tulloch and cornerback Eric Wright.

Where they stand: The Lions are tight against the salary cap after franchising Avril and aren't likely to be big spenders on the free-agent market. They could relieve the situation by reaching long-term agreements with Avril and/or receiver Calvin Johnson, who has a $22 million cap figure for 2012. Tulloch made a big impact last season after signing a one-year deal, but so far the Lions' attention has turned elsewhere.

What to expect: The Lions' best-case scenario is to keep their 2011 core together without mortgaging their future relative to the salary cap. That would mean getting Tulloch re-signed to preserve the linebacker group they upgraded last season by signing him and veteran Justin Durant, moves that allowed Levy to play on the outside. Hill seems likely to re-sign as Matthew Stafford's backup, while Stanton might test the free-agent waters to see if he has a chance to do better than third on a team's depth chart.

Green Bay Packers

Key free agents: Cornerback Jarrett Bush, quarterback Matt Flynn, running back Ryan Grant and center Scott Wells.

Where they stand: The Packers took care of a big challenge by signing tight end Jermichael Finley to a two-year contract last month. They will let Flynn depart for a possible starting job elsewhere and it appears Grant will test the free-agent market. Discussions with Wells haven't led to an agreement, but the Packers often go to the final moments before reaching a deal. There are no obvious internal replacements for Wells, making his return a priority.

What to expect: The Packers will have some flexibility with the salary cap, but general manager Ted Thompson's aversion to veteran free agency is well known. It's been three years since he signed a veteran unrestricted free agent in the offseason. The Packers have needs at defensive line, outside linebacker and possibly at center if Wells leaves. But let's put it this way: Thompson's strong preference is to find depth and future replacements in the draft, not on other teams' rosters.

Minnesota Vikings

Key free agents: Safety Husain Abdullah, receiver Devin Aromashodu, receiver Greg Camarillo, defensive lineman Fred Evans, defensive lineman Letroy Guion, linebacker E.J. Henderson, linebacker Erin Henderson, safety Tyrell Johnson, quarterback Sage Rosenfels, cornerback Benny Sapp and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe.

Where they stand: The Vikings seem poised for a major roster overhaul in their first offseason since Rick Spielman was promoted to general manager. Players like Shiancoe, E.J. Henderson, Camarillo and Johnson all seem poised to move on. There aren't many positions on the team that appear secure.

What to expect: If the Vikings don't plan to draft USC left tackle Matt Kalil at No. 3 overall next month, the first clue will be if they pursue a free-agent left tackle. That seems unlikely. But they'll need to combine their draft with at least a few veteran free agents if they intend to compete for a playoff spot in 2012. Cornerback could be a point of focus, where Brandon Carr and Cortland Finnegan are among those available. Another could be receiver. The Vikings had major interest in Jackson two years ago.

Previewing some of the big decisions facing NFC North teams early in the 2012 offseason:

A flurry of moves last week left the Minnesota Vikings with two linebacker coaches but no short- or long-term answers at the all-important middle linebacker position. Fred Pagac has returned to coach linebackers, where he will join forces with Mike Singletary, but veteran middle linebacker E.J. Henderson is a pending free agent and his heir apparent hasn't played since 2010.

As of late December, the Vikings hadn't approached Henderson about a new contract. He will turn 32 in August and spent part of this season battling knee problems that stem from a brutal leg injury that probably should have ended his career in 2009.

Now would be a logical time for the Vikings to elevate Jasper Brinkley, a fifth-round draft pick in 2009 who started four regular-season games and another two in the playoffs as a rookie after Henderson fractured his leg. But Brinkley missed all of 2011 after surgery to repair a torn hip labrum and would at least need to clear some rust this offseason before jumping back into the fray.

What other options do the Vikings have? Henderson's younger brother, Erin, started 11 games at outside linebacker but has some experience in the middle. I doubt the Vikings would move the position of Pro Bowl linebacker Chad Greenway, but stranger things have happened. Free agency and the draft typically offer avenues for finding an immediate starter at middle linebacker as well.

Before anything else, the Vikings must determine whether E.J. Henderson should be brought back. Then the Vikings' medical staff will need to evaluate Brinkley; it's worth noting that most players return from hip labrum surgery without any long-term affects.

I don't think any final decisions have been made, but general manager Rick Spielman has said he wants the roster to get younger. Re-signing a 32-year-old middle linebacker probably wouldn't fit into that philosophy.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

There aren't many expectations for the next installment of the oldest rivalry in the NFL.

The Green Bay Packers are favored over the Chicago Bears by anywhere from 12.5 to 13 points, according ESPN.com's daily composite of betting lines. The Bears haven't been such underdogs to the Packers since 1998, according to R.J. Bell of Pregame.com.

On paper, at least, it's difficult to disagree. The Bears will send out a quarterback in Josh McCown who hasn't started a game in four years and wasn't on an NFL roster until a few weeks ago. And the Packers have won five of the past six meetings between the teams.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• The Packers need to run the ball more effectively in the first half of games, writes Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. This season, they have called runs on 29 percent of their first-half plays.
• Time is running out for the Packers to extend some veteran contracts, including that of tight end Jermichael Finley, and have them count at least some on this year's salary cap. Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette has more.
• Packers coach Mike McCarthy is not requiring players and coaches to spend Saturday night in the team hotel, as is protocol for Sunday games. Saturday night is Christmas Eve, notes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• The Bears need to improve at tight end, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
• Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz on rookie quarterback Nathan Enderele, via Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com: "It's just too much of an unknown right now. We're trying to win. So he'll have his time, I'm sure, but right now this is the best opportunity for us to win."
• Bears coach Lovie Smith on naming McCown the starter, via Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times: "I haven’t seen a lot from Josh. And sometimes if you don't like what you have, you have to look at your other options. We just have to have faith that we can play better -- we can do some things to help him out a little bit more, people around him can play a little bit better."
• Philip Zaroo of Mlive.com writes about the Detroit Lions' "Wide 9" defense.
• Lions place-kicker Jason Hanson, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press: "I'm the Grinch. I hope nobody here is too excited because it doesn't mean anything until you do it and we're just close. And we've pulled some games out, and you look back and you go, 'How did we do that?' You can only do that so many times and so hopefully we've used that up and we're just going to go beat some teams instead of pulling them out."
• The Lions could be short at safety Saturday against the San Diego Chargers, writes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
• Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder feels he played too conservatively last Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, writes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.
• The future is uncertain for Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson, according to Mark Craig of the Star Tribune.
• The Vikings will probably have to use cornerback Cedric Griffin on defense Saturday against the Washington Redskins, according to Brian Murphy of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Getting inside the Friday injury report on what has become a frantic day here in the NFC North:

Chicago Bears: The Bears listed two players as questionable for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs -- Defensive tackle Anthony Adams (back) and cornerback D.J. Moore (ankle). Neither is expected to play.

Detroit Lions: Safety Louis Delmas (knee) and cornerback Chris Houston (knee) are doubtful for Sunday night's game at the New Orleans Saints. Neither practiced this week and both are expected to miss the game. Running back Kevin Smith (ankle) is questionable but told reporters he would play Sunday night. Cornerback Brandon McDonald (thigh) did not practice this week and is listed as questionable. The Lions might end up starting Aaron Berry at cornerback and using Alphonso Smith at nickel. Finally, running back Jahvid Best (concussion) has been cleared to begin working out, according to the Lions' website. Best is on injured reserve and can't play again until next season.

Green Bay Packers: Rookie linebacker D.J. Smith is likely to make his first NFL start Sunday against the New York Giants after the Packers ruled out inside linebackers A.J. Hawk and Desmond Bishop, who have calf injuries. Robert Francois could start at the other inside spot, but you never know when defensive coordinator Dom Capers will come up with a new alignment that minimizes the number of inexperienced players on the field. Smith will call the defensive signals. Tight end Andrew Quarless missed practice Friday because of a groin injury but is probable. Meanwhile, Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) returned to practice Friday and is expected to play Sunday.

Minnesota Vikings: As we noted earlier, the Vikings ruled tailback Adrian Peterson (ankle) out for the second consecutive game. He has never missed three consecutive games in his career. Receiver Percy Harvin (illness) missed practice and is listed as questionable, but at this point the Vikings believe he will play Sunday against the Denver Broncos. Middle linebacker E.J. Henderson (shoulder) returned to practice but is questionable for Sunday's game. Cornerback Asher Allen (shoulder) and tight end Kyle Rudolph (quadriceps) are also questionable, but coach Leslie Frazier indicated that Henderson and Rudolph have good chances to play. Finally, guard Anthony Herrera (knee) is probable and should play for the first time in more than a month.

Let's get to Thursday's newsbits in the NFC North, including an eye-opening quote from the defensive coordinator of the next team that will try to knock the Green Bay Packers off their undefeated perch:

Chicago Bears: Cornerback Charles Tillman (knee) and Zack Bowman (groin) were back to full participants in practice. Defensive lineman Anthony Adams (back) did not practice. Receiver/kick returner Devin Hester missed practice for personal reasons.

Detroit Lions: Running back Kevin Smith (ankle) returned to practice on a limited basis, spurring hopes he could play Thursday against the New Orleans Saints. Safety Louis Delmas (knee), cornerback Chris Houston (knee) and cornerback Brandon McDonald (thigh) all missed practice again.

Green Bay Packers: Linebackers A.J. Hawk (calf) and Desmond Bishop (calf) both sat out a second consecutive day of practice. Coach Mike McCarthy said the Packers have given Brad Jones some practice snaps at inside linebacker for depth purposes if Hawk and/or Bishop can't play Sunday against the New York Giants. Meanwhile, Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell told reporters in New York that his players will get after Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Sunday. Fewell, via Mike Garafalo of the Newark Star-Ledger: "[W]e just have to get after his [butt], okay? And if we do that and he scrambles then that's the price he's going to have to pay because we're going to hit him. We're going to hit him."

Minnesota Vikings: Joe Webb will move up to No. 2 quarterback in the wake of Donovan McNabb's departure, a move that will change plans to use Webb more as a receiver over the final five games. Running back Adrian Peterson (ankle) and linebacker E.J. Henderson (shoulder) again missed practice. Peterson told reporters that he hasn't given up hope for playing Sunday against the Denver Broncos. Meanwhile, the Minnesota state government announced it has an unexpected $876 million budget surplus over the next two years. But for those who hope that money could go toward a new Vikings stadium, be advised that the state is legally obligated to use the entire amount to replenish emergency reserve accounts.

Let's hit Wednesday's newsbits in the NFC North:

Chicago Bears: We've already hashed through comments from quarterback Jay Cutler, who admitted he doesn't know for sure whether he will return to play this season. Cornerback Charles Tillman (knee) didn't practice Wednesday but is expected to return Thursday. Cornerbacks D.J. Moore (ankle) and Zack Bowman (groin) were limited.

Detroit Lions: Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh's appeal of a two-game suspension will be heard Thursday afternoon by appeals officer Art Shell. A decision is expected by the weekend. Safety Louis Delmas (knee) and cornerback Chris Houston (knee) missed another day of practice, as did running back Kevin Smith (ankle). Cornerback Brandon McDonald (thigh) was a limited participant.

Green Bay Packers: Coach Mike McCarthy indicated that linebacker Erik Walden will play Sunday against the New York Giants. Walden was arrested last Friday on suspicion of domestic violence but hasn't been charged yet. Guard Josh Sitton (knee) has been ruled out of Sunday's game, as has left tackle Chad Clifton, who now has a back injury on top of his hamstring issue. Linebackers A.J. Hawk (calf) and Desmond Bishop (calf) didn't practice Wednesday but could get back on the field Friday. Meanwhile, cornerback Pat Lee told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the NFL fined him $15,000 after getting ejected from last Thursday's game against the Lions.

Minnesota Vikings: Tailback Adrian Peterson (ankle) and linebacker E.J. Henderson (shoulder) didn't practice. We'll know more later in the week on both players' status for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. Tight end Kyle Rudolph (quadriceps) returned to practice. Meanwhile, the Vikings could catch a break this week after Broncos linebacker Von Miller had thumb surgery. He hasn't been ruled out but at best will be limited in Sunday's game.

Getting inside the Friday injury report, which includes the expected debut of a veteran running back in Chicago, the loss of a starting linebacker in Detroit, lingering knee problems of a linebacker in Minnesota and surgery for a sidelined safety in Green Bay:

Chicago Bears: Safety Chris Harris (hamstring) was listed as questionable but appears unlikely to play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Tight end Matt Spaeth (calf) might also be sidelined. It's expected that running back Marion Barber (calf) will play in his first game of the regular season. Receiver Earl Bennett and right tackle Gabe Carimi are out.

Detroit Lions: Linebacker Justin Durant (concussion) won't play against the Dallas Cowboys, a big loss for the Lions. Durant has been their leading tackler through three games and will be replaced by Bobby Carpenter. The Lions also ruled out receiver Rashied Davis (foot). Six players are questionable, but all six of them participated in a portion of practice Friday.

Green Bay Packers: As expected, running back Ryan Grant (kidney) and right tackle Bryan Bulaga (knee) won’t play Sunday against the Denver Broncos. Coach Mike McCarthy indicated that veteran John Kuhn would be the second running back into the game behind starter James Starks. Linebacker Clay Matthews (quadriceps) did not practice Friday but is probable. Meanwhile, safety Nick Collins underwent fusion surgery on his neck Thursday, according to multiple reports. Collins has long been ruled out for the season, and the question now is whether he will be ready to play when the 2012 season begins.

Minnesota Vikings: Linebacker E.J. Henderson (knee) is listed as questionable, along with safety Jamarca Sanford (shoulder). Henderson is expected to play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, but coach Leslie Frazier said his snaps could be limited. Henderson told reporters he noticed himself limping on film last Sunday against the Detroit Lions. Waiver wire pickup Xavier Adibi likely would take any snaps Henderson misses. Sanford practiced in full pads Thursday and Friday, so it's not clear how serious his injury is.

Updating a few key injury situations in the NFC North:

Chicago Bears: Safety Chris Harris (hamstring) was held out of Thursday's practice after participating on Wednesday, making his status for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers uncertain at best. Tight end Matt Spaeth (calf) missed his second consecutive practice, and running back Kahlil Bell (back) was sidelined Thursday as well. Marion Barber (calf) has made it through consecutive practices with no limitations.

Detroit Lions: Linebacker Justin Durant (concussion) hasn't been cleared yet to return to practice and would be replaced by Bobby Carpenter if he can't play Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. Durant has been the Lions' leading tackler through three games with a total of 21.

Green Bay Packers: Linebacker Clay Matthews (quadriceps) and cornerback Pat Lee (back) returned to practice Thursday. Neither Ryan Grant (kidney) nor right tackle Bryan Bulaga (knee) practiced.

Minnesota Vikings: All players participated in at least a portion of practice, including tailback Adrian Peterson (calf) and linebacker E.J. Henderson (knee).

Rounding up Wednesday's news bits in the NFC North, including the likely answer to your non-stop questions about a certain rookie defensive tackle:

Chicago Bears: Three previously injured players participated in all of Wednesday's practice: Running back Marion Barber (calf), safety Chris Harris (hamstring) and safety Major Wright (head/neck). Tight end Matt Spaeth (calf) joined tackle Gabe Carimi (knee) and receiver Earl Bennett (chest) on the sideline. Meanwhile, receiver Roy Williams wasn't listed on the injury report but said his groin injury has been holding him back.

Detroit Lions: Defensive tackle Nick Fairley (foot) didn't practice, but coach Jim Schwartz insisted there have been no setbacks in his rehabilitation. Regardless, the development makes it highly unlikely Fairley will play Sunday at the Dallas Cowboys. Meanwhile, linebacker Justin Durant was among several starters who also sat out Wednesday's practice. There is no immediate fear that either Durant, defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, receiver Calvin Johnson or safety Louis Delmas will miss Sunday's game.

Green Bay Packers: We've already noted that right tackle Bryan Bulaga (knee) and running back Ryan Grant (kidney) are going to have a tough time playing Sunday against the Denver Broncos.

Minnesota Vikings: Tailback Adrian Peterson (calf) and linebacker E.J. Henderson (knee) didn't practice Wednesday but are expected to play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.