Greg Hardy had the jury trial for his domestic violence case pushed back to 2015, per a statement today given by the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office. A revised date has not been settled.
Greg Hardy’s court date pushed to 2015, Panthers career likely over
With the news that the defensive end’s trial has been pushed back to next year, Panthers fans have likely seen the last of Hardy.
Grant Halverson
Hardy had reportedly been telling teammates to expect him back at Carolina Panthers facilities next month. However, now that his mid-November trial has been postponed, the Pro Bowl defensive end may never return to the team's facilities.
Hardy’s Nov. 17 trial has been pushed back to an unspecified date sometime after the 2014 NFL season, according to Pro Football Talk, meaning that any hope of getting cleared and reinstated by the Panthers is likely out the window.
Hardy, who was placed on paid suspension in September after being charged with assault against his former girlfriend, is playing on a one-year franchise tag deal. That means his playing days in Carolina are likely done.
The Panthers will continue to pay out weekly installments of his $13.1 million salary, but the postponement is a blow to Hardy’s future earning ability. He’ll likely enter free agency having not played since September, hurting his chances of getting the big money, long-term deal he’s been after since his breakout 2013 season.
Hardy has previously been found guilty of the assault charges and is in the process of appealing the decision.
He could still enter a plea deal to expedite the case’s outcome, but that would open himself up to uncertain punishment under the league’s new personal conduct policy, which is still in the works.
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