NFC North Notebook: Vikings fan quits football; Marshall addresses domestic assault claims
Every Monday and Friday, theScore's NFL editors will bring you a roundup of everything you need to know from around the division with the NFC North Notebook.
Minnesota Vikings
"We made a mistake." After placing Adrian Peterson on the NFL's exempt list Wednesday, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf admitted the team "made a mistake" in its initial handling of Peterson's case.
Vikings fan quits football. George Dohrman of Sports Illustrated tells the story of a Vikings fan who, at the conclusion of last season, made the very difficult decision to cut football out of his life entirely.
Cassel gets vote of confidence. Despite throwing a career-high four interceptions in the Vikings' 30-7 loss to the New England Patriots, Matt Cassel still has the support of head coach Mike Zimmer.
Chicago Bears
Marshall addresses domestic assault claims. Brandon Marshall held a press conference Thursday to defend himself against claims that the NFL mishandled his alleged assault of an ex-girlfriend in 2007.
"In the now." Charles Tillman is done for the season after suffering a triceps injury, but the 33-year-old isn't ready to speculate on his future with the Bears. "Right now, I'm in the now," he said Wednesday.
Former Bears among 2015 Hall of Fame nominees. The Pro Football Hall of Fame released its list of 2015 nominees Thursday, which includes several former players with ties to the Bears organization: Jay Hilgenberg, Jimbo Covert, Orlando Pace, Steve McMichael, Ted Washington, and Richie Petitbon.
Green Bay Packers
Things only a Packers fan would understand. As James Carlton of FOX Sports Wisconsin points out, "there's a lot more to being a Packers fan than just Cheeseheads, championships and chilly weather."
Sitton pleads the fifth. The last time Josh Sitton faced the Lions, he referred to them as "a bunch of dirtbags or scumbags." Asked if he still feels that way ahead of Sunday's matchup, Sitton replied, "I have no idea. I plead the fifth."
Raji facing uncertain future. B.J. Raji will be sidelined for the next six-to-nine months after undergoing surgery on his torn right biceps, and while his primary focus is on getting healthy, he also knows that he may have played his last game in a Packers uniform.
Detroit Lions
Better run game. The Lions spent the week focusing on their run game, which is currently ranked 28th in the league. "I think when you look at us, we've been pretty much a second-half team when it comes to our running game," head coach Jim Caldwell said.
Bush restructures contract. According to Tom Pelissero of USA TODAY Sports, Detroit freed up some cap space Thursday by restructuring Reggie Bush's contract. Bush was set to earn $3.5 million in base salary this season.
Lions must put up points. The general consensus among Lions players heading into Sunday's matchup against the Packers is that they must put up as many points as possible.