NFC North Rundown: Final cuts conclude and the Vikings add a notable WR

Football season is surely in the air as the NFL regular season kicks off Thursday with the Green Bay Packers renewing their storied rivalry with the Chicago Bears. After last year’s thrilling Packers comeback, Green Bay will travel to the Windy City to face a team that may be without one of its offensive playmakers. Meanwhile, fans will get their first glimpses of Aaron Rodgers after sitting out the preseason.

Around the division, a pair of other offensive weapons have gained headlines as well. In Detroit, using a top-ten pick on a tight end has looked promising thus far as T.J. Hockenson impressed in the preseason. Will that success translate to the regular season? And in Minnesota, the Vikings added Josh Doctson to the wide receiver room after his release from the Washington Redskins. His impact will be something to closely monitor as the season progresses with Laquon Treadwell no longer on the Vikings’ roster.

Those stories and more can be found in today’s rundown below.

Chicago Bears (vs. Green Bay Thursday)

The Bears 53-man roster is set — for now. Here’s a detailed breakdown plus analysis from our team of reporters.

The title says it all. Here is the lowdown on the Bears’ final 53 men after final cuts.

Chicago Bears: 3 weaknesses of final 53-man roster

Depth behind Khalil Mack is one of three areas Chicago could still stand to improve.

Bears’ tight end Trey Burton has a mild groin strain

The versatile offensive player is unlikely to suit up against Green Bay Thursday night.

Detroit Lions (at Arizona Sunday)

Detroit Lions establish 2019 53-man roster

Detroit loaded up on the numbers on the defensive side of the football with its initial roster.

Detroit Lions: Initial 53-man set, but roster far from finalized

Tight end is one position that figures to still be addressed despite the latest roster moves.

Lions’ T.J. Hockenson aces preseason, but big challenges await in Arizona

Speaking of tight ends, the Lions’ first-round pick will face a pair of former Pro Bowlers as a blocker when Terrell Suggs and Chandler Jones take the field for Arizona Sunday.

Minnesota Vikings (vs. Atlanta Sunday)

Vikings 53-man roster: Kaare Vedvik among final cuts

Here is how the final roster shook out for Minnesota. A recent kicker acquired for a fifth-round selection is noticeably not on it.

To make room for Josh Doctson, Vikings cut an offensive lineman

Minnesota picked up a former first-round pick in Doctson after the veteran was released by Washington. He replaces another former top-round pick in Treadwell.

These are the 10 most important players on the Vikings’ 53-man roster

Before the Vikings run on to the field for their first game of the 2019 season, here are the most crucial players to their success this season.