CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Panthers have removed Greg Hardy from the team's active roster until the Pro Bowl defensive end's domestic-violence case is resolved.
Carolina general manager Dave Gettleman said Hardy will continue to be paid and is allowed to be at the team facility, but will not practice. Hardy earns more than $770,000 each week during the regular season.
The Panthers announced the decision Wednesday to place Hardy on the exempt-commissioner's permission list just hours after the Vikings took a similar disciplinary approach with Adrian Peterson, who is addressing child-abuse charges in Texas.
Hardy was convicted July 15 of assault on a female and communicating threats after the victim claimed the 6-foot-4, 275-pound player threw her in the bathtub and onto a sofa covered with guns before threatening to kill her. Hardy is appealing the ruling and a jury trial is set for Nov. 17.
Gettleman said it was a tough decision given the changing climate in the NFL.
"We have attempted to be thoughtful about this, but there is no rule book for this," Gettleman said. "Our overriding goal has always been to do the right thing."
The GM said he expects Hardy to be out at least through November.
"I understand that I need to step away from football right now and take care of this legal matter," Hardy said in a statement. "I am entitled to due process and my day in court, and that's where my focus should be. I appreciate the Panthers for giving me this opportunity and look forward to being back with my teammates. I am disappointed to leave my teammates and the Carolina Panthers during our season. My decision to take a leave of absence allows me to focus on my family until the legal process has run its course."
Cardinals RB Dwyer
jailed on assault charges
PHOENIX -- Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer was arrested Wednesday on aggravated-assault charges in connection with two altercations at his home in July involving a woman and their 18-month-old child, the latest in a string of such cases involving NFL players.
The Cardinals said they became aware of the situation on Wednesday and are cooperating with the investigation. Dwyer has been deactivated from all team activities. The NFL said the case will be reviewed under the league's personal-conduct policy.
One of the counts was "aggravated assault causing a fracture" involving the 27-year-old victim, whom they did not identify. Police said they were carrying out a search warrant of his residence in pursuit of more evidence.
There was no reply to telephone message left for Dwyer's agent, Adisa Bakari, seeking a comment Wednesday.
NFL fines Kaepernick
for 'language' in loss
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Colin Kaepernick said Wednesday he has been fined more than $11,000 by the NFL and he will appeal the penalty for what an official called "inappropriate language" by the 49ers quarterback following a fourth-quarter interception in Sunday's 28-20 loss to the Bears.
Kaepernick reiterated that he did nothing wrong when he and Chicago defensive end Lamarr Houston went at it -- and Kaepernick points to Houston's comments that the quarterback didn't say anything offensive or out of line. Kaepernick shoved Houston.
"It will be appealed," Kaepernick said. "I didn't say anything. Lamarr Houston said I didn't say anything. We're going to leave it at that."
Side judge Laird Hayes threw the flag for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Sports on 09/18/2014