CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Defensive end Greg Hardy was among 11 players who did not practice for the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday.
Hardy's absence was not injury related -- it was revealed later that he was placed on the NFL's commissioner's exempt list until his domestic violence case is resolved.
The other players who didn't practice Wednesday were left tackle Byron Bell (toe), wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (knee), wide receiver Philly Brown (ankle), right tackle Nate Chandler (toe), linebacker Thomas Davis (hip), defensive tackle Dwan Edwards (back), fullback Mike Tolbert (chest), running back Fozzy Whittaker (thigh), running back DeAngelo Williams (thigh) and tackle Garry Williams (thigh).
Also, tight end Greg Olsen (calf) and wide receiver Jason Avant (thigh) were limited.
That's six starters and a couple of other regulars -- not including Hardy.
The only two healthy running backs were Jonathan Stewart and Darrin Reaves, who is on the practice squad.
Coach Ron Rivera said Bell, Benjamin, Brown, Chandler, Thomas, Edwards, Tolbert, DeAngelo Williams and Garry Williams will be back Thursday on either a full or limited basis as the Panthers prepare for Sunday night's prime-time game against Pittsburgh.
Rivera said he hasn't discussed who will start in place of Hardy moving forward. Wes Horton started Sunday's 24-7 victory over Detroit and played mostly on first and second down in run situations.
Mario Addison came in on passing situations and had 2.5 sacks, but Rivera said Addison is more of a "situational player." Second-round pick Kony Ealy also could work into the mix.
