NFL notes: Panthers remove Hardy from active roster
The Carolina Panthers announced Wednesday that they’ve placed Greg Hardy on the exempt-commissioner’s permission list, meaning the Pro Bowl defensive end has been removed from the team’s active roster until his domestic violence case is resolved.
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.
Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said Hardy will continue to be paid and is allowed to be at the team facility but will not practice.
New drug policy clears
The NFL finally will have HGH testing, perhaps as early as the end of this month.
Of more immediate impact – this weekend – the new performance-enhancing drug policy to which the league and players’ union agreed will allow the Denver Broncos’ Wes Welker and two other suspended players to return to the field.
Welker, Dallas Cowboys defensive back Orlando Scandrick and St. Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey had been suspended for four games. All can return Sunday under the new rules in which players who test positive for banned stimulants in the offseason will no longer be suspended. Instead, they will be referred to the substance abuse program.
Around the league
Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson said he expects to play Sunday in his return to Philadelphia. … Tony Romo missed practice with tightness in his surgically repaired back, although the Dallas quarterback called it a routine day of rest. … Bengals WR A.J. Green didn’t practice because of an injured toe on his right foot, but he expects improvement later in the week. … Ravens QB Joe Flacco missed practice with an unspecified illness but is expected to play Sunday against Cleveland. … Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway has a broken left hand and is questionable for Sunday’s game at New Orleans. … Jets WR Eric Decker and cornerback Dee Milliner sat out practice with injuries, and their status is uncertain for Monday’s game against Chicago. … Browns tight end Jordan Cameron and LB Barkevious Mingo both returned to practice after missing last week with shoulder injuries. … 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick said he was fined more than $11,000 by the NFL and he will appeal the penalty for what was called “inappropriate language” in Sunday’s loss to the Bears. … Buffalo Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula’s bid to buy the Buffalo Bills for an NFL-record $1.4 billion was unanimously approved by the league’s finance committee. … Nike has suspended its sponsorship deal with Vikings running back Adrian Peterson following child abuse allegations. … Cardinals RB Jonathan Dwyer was arrested on aggravated assault charges in connection with two altercations at his home in July involving a woman and an 18-month-old child.