Carolina Panthers place Greg Hardy on exempt list

The Carolina Panthers have announced that defensive end Greg Hardy will be placed on the exempt/commissioner's permission list, with the player taking a voluntary leave of absence.

The move comes as the team looks to follow a precedent set by the Minnesota Vikings' handling of the ongoing Adrian Peterson controversy, with Hardy currently waiting for a jury trial related to charges of assault on a female.

"We support the decision that Greg Hardy and the Panthers made today," said the NFL in a brief statement.

Hardy was found guilty by a judge for charges in July, but has requested another trial, with the player currently on a one-year franchise contract at the Panthers.