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NEW ORLEANS Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy did not make the trip to New Orleans with the team and his status for Sunday's game against the Saints is in doubt.
Hardy was excused from practice all week while dealing with an undisclosed family issue, which Panthers coach Ron Rivera characterized as serious. Rivera said Friday that Hardy was helping his mother with the issue, but declined to elaborate.
Attempts to reach Hardy and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, were unsuccessful Saturday.
The Panthers moved Hardy from probable to questionable on the official injury report.
A Panthers' spokesman said Hardy did not accompany the team on its charter flight Saturday and was uncertain whether Hardy would play against the Saints.
Hardy leads the Panthers with a career-high 11 sacks and 23 quarterback pressures. He has been the Panthers' most versatile defensive lineman, shifting to tackle in certain pass-rush packages.
Rookie Frank Alexander and Mario Addison, who was signed off Washington's practice squad on Dec. 4, are the Panthers' backups at defensive end.
