Bears rookie LB Smith progressing slowly

Chicago Bears: Rookie first-round pick Roquan Smith did not start at Green Bay last week, but the linebacker said he's ready for "one quarter or an entire game," whatever his coaches decide. Smith is "on the right track," according to linebackers coach Glenn Pires. After a holdout that went into August, Smith was used sparingly in the preseason -- partly because of a tight left hamstring -- and received only eight defensive snaps in Week 1. "He had a good week last week, had a good start, and we're just gonna build from there," Pires said.

Detroit Lions: Wide receiver Kenny Golladay was the brightest spot on the stat sheet and stood out on the field even in a 48-17 loss to the Jets on Monday. "He played at a high level," coach Matt Patricia said Wednesday of Golladay, who had a seven-catch, 114-yard night. "I think he went out and made some really big plays, and I think he showed that he can play big and strong, compete very hard." Patricia said it was clear this summer that Golladay, who emerged a player to watch during 2017 training camp, advanced in his "education process." Golden Tate was targeted 15 times -- compared to 12 for Golladay -- but caught only seven passes.

Green Bay Packers: In the injury-report parlance, questionable means quarterback Aaron Rodgers has a 50-50 chance of playing Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. While Rodgers worked on the side with trainers in the Packers' first practice of the week, coach Mike McCarthy put added focus on taking care of the ball. The Packers were minus-2 in turnover ratio Week 1 -- DeShone Kizer lost a fumble and threw a pick-6 to Khalil Mack -- while Minnesota had four takeaways in a win over the San Francisco 49ers last week. "You can't play quarterback, period if you can't take care of the football," McCarthy said. "DeShone needs to learn from those two plays."

Minnesota Vikings: Safety Harrison Smith was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for tallying a sack, an interception, two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery against the 49ers. Preparation for Green Bay is muddled slightly by Rodgers' questionable status, but Smith and teammates watched the Packers rally to beat the Bears on Sunday night. Smith didn't see a limited QB. "He's so good and can really put the ball wherever he wants, from any position on the field whether he's moving right, moving left or staying in the pocket, buying time for his guys, he can make any throw that you can imagine," Smith said. "That's what makes him so difficult."