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| GREG HARDY |
Hardy, a former Ole Miss star, was convicted in July after his May arrest on charges of assault and communicating threats against his former girlfriend.
Nicole Holder accused him of throwing her down on a couch and threatening to shoot her if she told anyone.
Hardy received a 60-day suspended sentence and 18 months of probation following a 10-hour bench trial, but demanded a jury trial as part of his appeal.
His jury trial is expected to begin Nov. 17 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
Carolina beat the Detroit Lions 24-7 on Sunday. Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said afterward the decision to sit Hardy was his, following discussions with management.
"My rationale was it was in the best interest of the Carolina Panthers," Rivera said, according to ESPN.com.
Rivera added that Hardy will eventually return to the lineup, but would not specify when.
"He will play as we go through this process," he said. "Hopefully, we get it right."
The Panthers are the third NFL team to deactivate or terminate a star player this week for domestic abuse issues. The Baltimore Ravens terminated the contract of running back Ray Rice on Monday following the publication of a video in which he was shown striking his then-fiancée unconscious.
On Friday, the Minnesota Vikings deactivated All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson following his indictment and arrest on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child.
Peterson admitted to using a switch to discipline his 4-year-old son in May.
Hardy, 26, is a 2013 Pro Bowler who has totaled 26 sacks the last two seasons for Carolina.
The Panthers were widely criticized for allowing him to play in the team's season-opening win over Tampa Bay last Sunday.
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