Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy is meeting with NFL officials on Wednesday to discuss his recently dismissed domestic violence case, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.
Greg Hardy, NFL officials meeting on Wednesday
Hardy will reportedly meet with NFL officials on Wednesday to discuss his recently dismissed domestic violence case.
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
With less than a week remaining before Hardy, 26, is set to become a free agent, the timing couldn't come soon enough for the pass rusher, who still hasn't received a punishment from the NFL. As per the NFL's new personal conduct policy, any violation that involves assault, battery, domestic violence or sexual assault results in an automatic six-game suspension, and a lifetime ban for a second incident.
Hardy’s case was dismissed in February due to the unavailability of his accuser, although he reportedly reached a settlement with her outside of court. Still, the NFL is doing a private investigation of its own to determine if Hardy “engaged in conduct prohibited by the policy.”
The length of the suspension for Hardy, if any, will be a large determining factor in the pass rusher’s value on the free agency market. With no player yet suspended for six games under the new personal conduct policy, the handling of a player like Hardy on the open market is uncharted waters for teams and this represents a litmus test, of sorts.
Hardy racked up 26 sacks in two seasons with the Panthers, including a Pro Bowl nod in 2013, but played in just one game in 2014, while spending the majority of the year on the commissioner’s exempt list. The Panthers have shown no interest in re-signing Hardy, and seem perfectly content with allowing the defensive end to reach free agency on March 10.
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