GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Observed and heard in the locker room after the Carolina Panthers' 38-17 loss to the Packers:
There was a lot of disbelief that middle linebacker Luke Kuechly was ejected after making contact with an official in the third quarter. Kuechly said he wasn't even aware it was an official grabbing him from behind when he raised his elbow to separate himself from the scrum. Linebacker Thomas Davis said he has seen way worse that hasn't resulted in an ejection.
Coach Ron Rivera and several players used the term "self-inflicted" to describe all the penalties, missed tackles and mistakes that led to a 21-0 deficit in the first 12 minutes.
"Somehow we're still in first place. That's not a reflection how we're playing," tight end Greg Olsen said when reminded the Panthers (3-3-1) remain in first place in the NFC South after second-place New Orleans (2-4) and Atlanta (2-5) also lost. Last-place Tampa Bay (1-5) was the only division team that didn't lose. The Buccaneers had a bye.
Right guard Trai Turner was sitting at his locker with his left foot in a boot. Turner sprained his ankle in the first quarter and did not return. He's not sure how serious the injury is.
There was no sign of left tackle Byron Bell, who left in the second half with an elbow injury and did not return.
