Carolina Panthers' Greg Hardy smiles at fans as he arrives for an NFL football practice in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11.Chuck Burton/The Associated Press
The Dallas Cowboys have made their big play in free agency with defensive end Greg Hardy.
Although Hardy could face a league suspension for violating the NFL's domestic conduct policy, the team said it agreed to terms with the former Carolina Panther on Wednesday.
A person with knowledge of the contract tells The Associated Press it is a one-year deal that could earn him $13.1-million if he meets incentives. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because terms of the deal were not announced.
The Cowboys let DeMarco Murray go to NFC East rival Philadelphia because they decided the NFL rushing champion was too expensive. Now, they've bolstered the defence, particularly the pass rush.
Hardy remains on the commissioner's exempt list as he seeks reinstatement by the NFL. He was convicted on two counts of domestic violence in North Carolina before the case was dismissed on appeal.
The 26-year-old Hardy played just one game last season while he was appealing after tying a Carolina franchise record with 15 sacks in 2013.
NFL officials met with Hardy earlier this month to discuss the case that led to his conviction. His ex-girlfriend testified that Hardy threw her around and threatened to kill her, and he denied those allegations. The conviction was tossed when his accuser couldn't be located to testify in the appeal.
The league's new personal conduct policy, approved by owners after Hardy's conviction, calls for a six-game suspension for first-time violations involving assault, sexual assault and domestic violence. Previously, first-time offenders typically received two-game suspensions.
The league unsuccessfully petitioned courts to have evidence from Hardy's first trial unsealed. Without that evidence, it may be difficult for the league to suspend him.
The Cowboys were 28th in the NFL in sacks with 28. Jeremy Mincey, a low-cost defensive end added in free agency last year, led Dallas with six sacks and is returning. Tackle Henry Melton, who had five sacks despite battling injuries, signed with Tampa Bay.
Dallas moved up in the second round of the 2014 draft to grab DeMarcus Lawrence after cutting franchise sacks leader DeMarcus Ware in a salary cap move. But Lawrence missed the first half of the season after breaking his foot in training camp.
It's the second time in four years the Cowboys made a big move for their defence in free agency. They added cornerback Brandon Carr on a $50 million deal in 2012, and could be looking to release him if he doesn't accept a pay cut after going without an interception for the first time in his seven-year career.
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Hardy, a sixth-round pick by the Panthers in 2010, had 26 sacks over two seasons before his legal troubles arose. He had 194 tackles and 33 sacks in his first four seasons.
The Cowboys also hope to re-sign linebacker Rolando McClain, a former top 10 pick by Oakland who returned after a year away from the game to have a solid first season in Dallas.16:11ET 18-03-15