Per the NFL’s website, Greg Hardy’s 10-game suspension has been reduced by six games by arbitrator Harold Henderson.
We’ve been waiting for several weeks to hear the ruling on Hardy’s appeal, and this is what I expected. The 4-game suspension matches that of Hardy’s defensive teammate, Rolando McClain, meaning that both players will be eligible to play in week 5 of the NFL regular season when the New England Patriots come to town on October 11.
Stories over the past week have come out about Greg Hardy’s stated intention of fighting the suspension beyond today’s ruling, depending on the length of the new suspension terms, but it’s unclear at this time whether or not he will accept the 60 percent reduction or push for more.
Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) with NFL.com spoke to Greg Hardy’s agent Drew Rosenhaus about the update:
“I will confer with Greg, the NFLPA and his lawyers to discuss our next move,” Rosenhaus told Rapoport. “Still considering further legal action.”
All told, if the suspension stands at 4 games, Hardy will have missed a total of 19 games – combined with games missed in 2014 under an exemption status not defined as a suspension officially.
The Cowboys signed Greg Hardy during the offseason to bring help to a defensive line that has struggled to develop a consistent pass-rush.
The deal was very team-friendly in that the bulk of the contract comes in the form of incentives that prevent the team from being liable for payment should Hardy miss any playing time.
We’ll update the situation as new information becomes available.
