Greg Hardy can sign Tuesday, even if still on exempt list

Greg Hardy has been in limbo – albeit paid limbo – since September, when the Carolina Panthers embattled defensive end agreed to go on the commissioner’s exempt list in the wake of his domestic violence case.

That’s where he remains following his meeting with NFL officials to seek reinstatement Wednesday in New York.

Hardy, who posted pictures from New York on his social media accounts Tuesday, put up a photo of an airplane on a runway Wednesday night. But he offered no details about his long-awaited meeting with the league.

NFL officials and Hardy’s representatives likewise have been mum about Hardy’s status or any discipline he might face.

League spokesman Brian McCarthy did clarify a point about Hardy’s pending free agency, saying Thursday there’s nothing to prevent a player on the exempt list from signing a new contract.

Hardy is set to become a free agent at 4 p.m. Tuesday, and the NFL has indicated it hopes to have a resolution by then.

During his meeting Wednesday in New York, Hardy turned over documents from his July trial, according to an NFL.com report.

That had been a point of contention. The NFL filed a motion last month asking a judge to unseal the evidence from the bench trial on the misdemeanor charges, during which a district judge found Hardy guilty of assaulting and threatening to kill ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder.

But the motion was denied because the court already had returned the exhibits – including dozens of photos of Holder’s alleged injuries – to the district attorney’s office and Hardy’s defense team.

The misdemeanor charges against Hardy were dropped Feb. 9 when prosecutors couldn’t locate Holder to testify. District attorney Andrew Murray told the judge Hardy had reached a settlement with Holder for an undisclosed amount to take care of any civil claims.

Hardy made the Pro Bowl in 2013 when he tied a Panthers’ single-season record with 15 sacks. But he played in only one game last season while collecting $13.1 million from Carolina after the Panthers put the franchise tag on him.

The Panthers are not planning to bring back Hardy, but the 26-year-old should draw interest from teams in need of an elite pass rusher. Those clubs are free sign Hardy beginning Tuesday, but likely would want to know what, if any, discipline he faces.

But in the meantime, Hardy – and any interested teams – will continue to wait.

This story was originally published March 5, 2015 at 11:54 AM with the headline "Greg Hardy can sign Tuesday, even if still on exempt list."