As the Panthers struggle with the question of whether to let defensive end Greg Hardy play in the wake of his domestic violence case, Ian Rapoport is reporting that the NFL is discussing possibly intervening in the matter.
.@NFL officials are in discussions about intervening in the Greg Hardy situation, source says. Could be discipline, could be guidance
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 16, 2014
According to Pro Football Talk, the NFL could suspend Hardy without pay for violating the personal-conduct policy.
Previously, the NFL had decided not to penalize Hardy because Hardy’s legal case has not been resolved. He still hasn’t had a trial before a jury; his trial before a judge was under North Carolina criminal procedure was so preliminary and cursory that a transcript isn’t prepared unless the defendant chooses to hire a court reporter. (In this case, Hardy did.)
The NFL could save the Panthers from the public relations nightmare they are currently embroiled in.