Greg Hardy has been placed on the exempt list.

Hardy was conviced in a bench trial of two counts of domestic violence and the case is under appeal. Hardy will not be allowed to play until the case is resolved and a suspension will be forthcoming thereafter.

Hardy is one of the NFL's best pass rusher.

The Carolina Panthers and Greg Hardy are discussing the possibility of placing him on the NFL's exempt list, sources confirmed Wednesday to ESPN.

Hardy is one of the NFL's best pass rushers and was convicted of two domestic violence charges by a bench trial. Hardy is appealing the verdict.

Hardy was inactive for the Panthers' Week 2 game.

The Panthers would not have to play Hardy, although they would still pay him, if he were placed on the exempt/commissioner's permission list.

According to the NFL, only commissioner Roger Goodell has the authority to place a player on the exempt list as it is a "special player status available to clubs only in unusual circumstances."

The Carolina Panthers have yet to decide whether Greg Hardy will play in Week 3.

Ron Rivera said general manager Dave Gettleman and others are doing their "due diligence" on what the team's options are. He said there are no plans to release Hardy, who on July 15 was found guilty by a Mecklenburg County judge of assaulting and threatening ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder.

Rivera said Hardy would practice this week.

Rivera said the decision was made because it would have been a distraction to play the 2013 Pro Bowl selection under the scrutiny the team was under concerning domestic violence.

Greg Hardy has been ruled inactive by the Carolina Panthers for their Week 2 game.

Hardy was convicted over the summer on domestic violence charges, which are currently waiting appeal.

Hardy is one of the NFL's best pass rushers.

Hardy had been scheduled to start, but assumedly will be kept off the field due to the overwhelming criticism the NFL has received since the release of Ray Rice punching his wife last Monday.

Hardy is essentially on paid leave as he still collects his weekly $770,588 paycheck.