Carolina Panthers Haven’t Asked Greg Hardy To Stay Away

Sep 7, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy (76) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy (76) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said he hasn’t asked defensive end Greg Hardy to stay away from the team since Hardy was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, pending trial.

The Carolina Panthers haven’t seen Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy on an NFL field since Hardy was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list pending his domestic violence trial. That doesn’t mean Hardy can’t stop by and say hi though. According to head coach Ron Rivera, neither he nor the team has made any move to bar Hardy from team headquarters while Hardy prepares for trial.

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“We haven’t asked him to stay away,”

Rivera said per ESPN

. “At the same time, we’re letting him take care of his business.”

The Panthers have plenty of business to take care of on their own thanks to a drubbing at the hands of the Green Bay Packers. They can’t worry about waiting until the November 17th trial date to determine Hardy’s status as it pertains to the team. If Hardy is found innocent, he could quickly return to the Panthers. If not, then Hardy’s career in the NFL could be over given the strict new policy being enforced in the league regarding domestic violence. Either way, Rivera can hardly sit around and fret as he has a season in the balance to worry about.

At 3-3-1, the Panthers still have plenty of life in the NFC South thanks to the overall struggles within the division. The Saints are inconsistent at best, the Falcons are a mess, and the Buccaneers are the Buccaneers. If the Panthers can remain focused, they can still be the best team in this division despite their struggles on defense.

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