Report: Panthers' Greg Hardy will seek immediate reinstatement into NFL
On the heels of Adrian Peterson's successful case against the NFL and the reinstatement that's expected to follow, Greg Hardy appears set to pursue the same outcome.
After Thursday's ruling that the NFL can't apply its domestic violence policy retroactively, Hardy will also seek immediate reinstatement into the league, according to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer.
Like Peterson, Hardy was placed on the commissioner's exempt list early in the 2014 season amid off-field issues and remained there for the rest of the year.
Hardy eventually had his domestic violence charges dismissed Feb. 9, but his status has remained in question heading into the offseason as the league planned to review his case under its personal conduct policy.
With that process still ongoing, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy quickly responded to reports of Hardy's intentions by indicating reinstatement can't be pursued before the league disciplines him.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy: Doty ruling irrelevant to Greg Hardy situation. “He hasn’t been disciplined. There is nothing for him to ...
— Joe Person (@josephperson) February 26, 2015
"...seek reinstatement from at this point," -- NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy on Greg Hardy's plans to seek reinstatement.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) February 26, 2015
Either way, with Hardy slated to hit unrestricted free agency next month, receiving a lesser punishment as dictated by the NFL's previous conduct policy would certainly help his chances of catching on with another team and landing a fairly substantial contract.