Cowboys DE Greg Hardy will not seek further reduction of suspension

Greg Hardy has decided not to seek a further reduction to his suspension, meaning the defensive end will miss the first four games of the season and return to play against New England on Oct. 11.

“While I am terribly disappointed to miss the first four games of this season, I am absolutely determined that my issue is not going to be a distraction for the Cowboys,” Hardy said in a statement issued through the NFL Player’s Association.

“I have enormous affection and respect for everyone here, and having seen the impact a court case can have on an NFL organization, I believe it is in the team’s best interest for me to announce that I will not pursue any further litigation.

“Everything I do from this point on will be designed to bring glory and pride to my family, their family and this team.

Hardy received a 10-game suspension from commissioner Roger Goodell in April for violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. Arbitrator Harold Henderson reduced that punishment to four games in July, stating, “baseline for discipline in domestic violence or sexual assault cases was announced as a six-game suspension.”

The NFL’s personal conduct policy was altered before the start of last season to call for a six-game suspension on charges of domestic abuse while giving the commissioner a certain amount of latitude. When Hardy was charged with his episode, the policy called for a two-game suspension.

He left open his option to challenge further until this evening.

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