Jones backs Hardy as photos surface
IRVING — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones showed support for Greg Hardy on Friday after photos of the bruised former girlfriend from the defensive end’s domestic violence case were released by Deadspin.
Jones said the team hadn’t seen the photos before signing Hardy to an incentive-laden $13 million free-agent contract in March, but the Cowboys “were and are aware of the serious nature of this incident.”
“We do not condone domestic violence,” Jones said in a statement released by the team about eight hours after the photos were posted online. “We entered into the agreement with Greg fully understanding that there would be scrutiny and criticism.”
As he was leaving the locker room Friday, Hardy ignored a reporter who asked repeatedly if he wanted to address the release of the photos showing various injuries to Nicole Holder.
Hardy was convicted by a judge over the 2014 incident in North Carolina, but the case was tossed on appeal when Holder couldn’t be located to testify. The incident was expunged from Hardy’s record this week. Prosecutors have said Holder reached a financial settlement with Hardy.
The NFL sued for access to some of the photos used at Hardy’s trial, eventually reaching a settlement. The league suspended him for 10 games while saying that evidence suggested Holder “was severely traumatized and sustained a range of injuries.”
Hardy’s suspension under the personal conduct policy was reduced to four games by an arbitrator. He has played three games for Dallas (2-5).
“We have given Greg a second chance,” Jones said in his statement. “He is a member of our team and someone who is grateful for the opportunity he has been given to move forward with his life and his career.”
Hardy missed the last 15 games with Carolina in 2014 because of the domestic case but collected his $13 million salary. He was accused of choking and grabbing Holder and throwing her on a futon that had at least four semi-automatic rifles on it.
Cowboys’ Heath not fined for hit
Dallas Cowboys safety Jeff Heath will not be fined by the NFL for his hit on Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette, who needed surgery to stabilize ligaments in his neck.
Lockette was injured Sunday in Seattle’s 13-12 win over Dallas during a punt return when he was hit by Heath and knocked out. He was motionless for several minutes and was eventually strapped to a backboard and taken off the field.
Heath was penalized for an illegal blindside block on the play, but the league ruled it didn’t warrant an additional fine.
Seattle’s Michael Bennett was fined $20,000 for his late hit on Dallas quarterback Matt Cassel in that same game.
Cincinnati safety George Iloka was docked $23,152 for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Pittsburgh tight end Heath Miller in the Bengals’ 16-10 victory.
Oakland linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong was fined $17,363 for his hit to the midsection of New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith, who left for two plays after taking the shot.
Odds and ends
Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota will return to the starting lineup Sunday to face the Saints after missing the last two games with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. … The Giants will decide whether to activate Jason PierrePaul after Saturday’s workout. The two-time Pro Bowler has not played since losing his right index finger and injuring a couple of other fingers on the hand in a fireworks accident July 4.