NFL notes: 49ers cut ties to lineman Ray McDonald

Citing a pattern of behavior and off-field issues, San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke informed defensive lineman Ray McDonald that he was released Wednesday amid a sexual assault investigation by police in San Jose, California.

Baalke spoke with McDonald and his agent by phone to let them know the defender is “terminated.”

Last month, the Santa Clara County district attorney’s office announced that it declined to file charges against the defensive lineman in a domestic violence investigation. .

Bears bench Cutler, will start Clausen

Multiple reports say the Chicago Bears are benching quarterback Jay Cutler and going with Jimmy Clausen.

Coach Marc Trestman said he was not getting the most out of Cutler, but he did not mention benching the quarterback.

Employees turn over phone, email records

Nearly 500 employees at NFL headquarters in New York turned over phone and email records to investigators looking into how Commissioner Roger Goodell and his staff pursued and handled evidence in the Ray Rice case, two people familiar with the situation told the Associated Press.

Former FBI director Robert S. Mueller has been investigating whether anyone at the NFL had seen or obtained video of the former Baltimore Ravens running back striking his then-fiancee inside an elevator before the video was published online.

Around the league

Jets wide receiver Percy Harvin sat out practice while resting his severely sprained left ankle, which he played through Sunday. … Panthers quarterback Cam Newton returned to practice eight days after an automobile accident left him with two fractures in his lower back. … Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers didn’t practice, although he participated in a morning walkthrough.