ESPN.com: NFL Nation

[Print without images]

After an unexpected 11-day diversion in Green Bay, we finally resume our NFC North tour Monday with a trip to the Minnesota Vikings' training camp at Minnesota State University. The party will continue later this week when we drop in on the Detroit Lions, so you better get your seat now.

Look for an expanded mailbag later Monday morning and we'll check in when we get our feet on the ground in Mankato.

Around the NFC North on a fine 55-degree Minnesota morning:

• Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will make his first start Monday night as the team's starting quarterback. The Packers will take on Cincinnati in their preseason opener, and Rodgers told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "Hopefully there will be more cheers than boos."
• Rookie running back Kevin Smith was working with the Lions' first-team offense Sunday morning in practice, but coach Rod Marinelli insisted there was nothing to read into it. "There's no rotation right now," Marinelli said, according to the Detroit News. "We're just working guys."
• Chicago Bears running back Garrett Wolfe put on a show in the team's preseason opener last week -- catching a 25-yard touchdown and logging a 42-yard run -- despite a left hamstring injury that leaves him at about 80 percent, according to the Chicago Tribune. "I haven't done anything in this league," Wolfe said, "so every opportunity I have to show something, I need to be out there."
• The Vikings are hoping that veteran Vinny Ciurciu can step in to Heath Farwell's role as the No. 4 linebacker and special teams leader. Farwell will miss the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.