NFL notes: Packers a bit beat up after loss to Vikings

Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, who finished with three tackles, including a sack, in Sunday night's loss to the Vikings, removed himself from the game during the first quarter after teammate Letroy Guion appeared to roll up on his legs.

The Packers' medical staff quickly taped and spatted Matthews' left ankle along the sideline, the same ankle that bothered him at times last season. Matthews returned to the game after missing one play and remained on the field for the majority of the game.

"It's hard to tell from the game, but yeah, I think someone rolled up on it pretty good," Matthews said. "I was able to get through the game. It's obviously sore now. Battle through it, hopefully it progresses through the week."

But Matthews removed himself again in the closing moments. He attempted a sliding tackle on Vikings running back Matt Asiata with less than two minutes remaining and immediately motioned to the bench. Matthews jogged off and did not return.

Guion, a starter on the defensive line, left the game in the first half after suffering a knee injury and did not return.

If Guion's injury proves to be serious, the Packers will be down to just four defensive linemen on the active roster.

The struggling Chicago Bears might have to get by without quarterback Jay Cutler.

If he is not ready, Brian Hoyer will start.

Cutler topped a long list of players injured in Monday's loss to Philadelphia.

The defense was hit hard, with linebacker Danny Trevathan scheduled for surgery Wednesday morning on a sprained thumb. The Bears were awaiting the results of an MRI on linebacker Lamarr Houston, who suffered a left knee injury that Fox said "appears to be significant." Nose tackle Eddie Goldman (sprained ankle) left the field on a cart.

Colin Kaepernick said he has received death threats through social media and other avenues since he began to protest during the national anthem last month.

Kaepernick said he has not alerted team security about the threats and understood that could happen once he began his protest over racial oppression and police brutality in the United States.

Kaepernick also said he plans to start a website soon showing he is donating the $1 million he has pledged to organizations supporting his cause of racial equality. He will donate $100,000 a month for 10 months once he has vetted organizations to determine which deserve his donations.

• Suspended Dallas defensive end Randy Gregory dropped an appeal on another substance-abuse violation and now faces a 10-game ban on top of the four games he will already miss.