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."