Panthers DE Greg Hardy leaves team facility and did not practice, status remains unclear

Carolina Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman, front, talks to the media about Greg Hardy's situation with the NFL football team as head coach Ron Rivera, back, looks on during a news conference in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014. The team announced Hardy is taking a voluntary leave of absence with pay and will be placed on the NFL commissioner's exempt list. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) (The Associated Press)

Carolina Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman talks to the media about Greg Hardy's situation with the NFL football team during a news conference in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014. The team announced Hardy is taking a voluntary leave of absence with pay and will be placed on the NFL commissioner's exempt list. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) (The Associated Press)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Greg Hardy did not practice with the Panthers and left the stadium in street clothes with his agent Drew Rosenhaus while awaiting a decision on his playing status regarding his domestic violence case.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera was 20 minutes late arriving to practice, but only said that Hardy would not participate in workouts.

Rivera didn't say whether Hardy would play Sunday night against Pittsburgh or if he had been placed on the exempt-commissioner's permission list, which would entail the Pro Bowl defensive end being deactivated until the case is resolved.

Hardy was convicted July 15 of assault on a female and communicating threats. He is appealing the ruling and a jury trial is set for Nov. 17.

Hardy and Rosenhaus emerged from the team's facility, stepped into the player's Bentley and drove away.

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