Fansided

Carolina Panthers’ Defensive End Greg Hardy Will Not Play This Season

By Patrik Walker

Aug 8, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy (76) sits on the sidelines during the first half of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 8, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy (76) sits on the sidelines during the first half of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Carolina Panthers’ Defensive End Greg Hardy Will Not Play This NFL Season

The operative word here is “maybe”. Ian Rapoport released news today that Carolina Panthers‘ Greg Hardy will not step onto an NFL field in 2014 in light of his trial being pushed back to 2015. The pro bowl defensive end was originally found guilty for domestic violence in an informal hearing that was so poorly conducted, it wasn’t even transcripted. I wonder if they also sold moonshine and banjos out back.

Up to this point, the Panthers had agreed to suspend Hardy with full pay until the charge was resolved to the tune of $13.1 million. The new trial date was originally set to be held on November 17th and although Hardy pushed back on the postponement, he ulitmately came up short. Hardy’s goal was clearly to get this matter behind him as he faces free agency after this season. Not playing since September and a looming criminal charge usually doesn’t make new teams crack open their piggy banks.

More from Carolina Panthers

That being said, it now places the onus on Hardy to possibly consider a plea deal versus letting the clock tick and his potential future pay take a hit. The issue with that, though, is copping to said deal brings an unknown punishment from the NFL. Could commissioner Roger Goodell go old school and drop the hammer of Thor on Hardy, or, will you see the new version of the commissioner that has his tail tucked due to the mishandling of the Ray Rice case? Risky business.

Without Hardy, the Panthers are stumbling mightily this season. And now they’re going to have to figure out how to right the ship without the return of one of their best defensive players. Unfortunately for Greg Hardy, though, his boat is temporarily shipwrecked. Maybe Gilligan can keep him company.

More from FanSided

Home/Carolina Panthers