Changing course, the Carolina Panthers deactivated defensive end Greg Hardy for Sunday's home opener against the Detroit Lions.
Quarterback Cam Newton was active after missing the season opener with a fractured rib.
Hardy played last week despite being found guilty by a judge on domestic violence charges in July and was expected to be in uniform again.
But while his appeal of the ruling was enough to avoid a suspension -- he is currently awaiting a jury trial -- the Ray Rice saga and the NFL's subsequent decision for a tougher policy against domestic violence apparently forced the Panthers to bench the defensive star.
According to a police report, Hardy assaulted girlfriend Nicole Holder and threatened to kill her during an altercation in May.
Holder said Hardy choked her with both hands around her throat and threw her onto a couch covered with assault rifles and shotguns. She said Hardy told her all the weapons were loaded.
Hardy tied a franchise record with 15 sacks in 2013. The Panthers placed the franchise tag on him at a cost of $13.1 million this season.
A sixth-round pick by the Panthers in 2010, Hardy has 34 sacks in 63 career games with Carolina.
[SportsNetwork.com]
