Greg Hardy Takes Voluntary Leave Of Absence

Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy is taking a voluntary leave of absence from the team.

General Manager Dave Gettleman says Hardy has agreed to be placed on the exempt list as his domestic violence case plays out.  Hardy is awaiting a November jury trial after appealing a judge's guilty verdict in July that he assaulted his ex-girlfriend.

Hardy played in Carolina's Week One win at Tampa Bay, but was deactivated for this past Sunday's home win against Detroit.

The move follows in the footsteps of the Minnesota Vikings, who placed running back Adrian Peterson on the exempt list earlier Wednesday until his child abuse case is resolved.  (Metro Networks Inc.)