The Sports Xchange

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy is expected to start Sunday in his season debut against the New England Patriots.

A source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Hardy will get the start after serving a four-game suspension for a domestic violence case involving his former girlfriend.

The Cowboys have used DeMarcus Lawrence and Jeremy Mincey as their starting defensive ends this season.

Leading up to the game, Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said the team admonished Hardy for his controversial comments about Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s wife and a reference to guns.

“Well, we just addressed it immediately,” Garrett said Thursday. “That’s not how we want to operate as an organization. Players and coaches in our organization understand that. We want to distinguish ourselves with our play, not with what we say. We define ourselves by what we do, not by what we say. Greg understands that now and that’s how we’re going … forward.”

Hardy created a stir Tuesday when he met with the media for the first time since signing with the Cowboys last March. Hardy’s remarks included comments about Brady’s wife, Gisele Bundchen.

Hardy, who hasn’t played an NFL game in 14 months after a May 2014 domestic violence incident, joked about why he likes to face Brady.

“I love seeing Tom Brady. He’s cool,” Hardy said. “Have you seen his wife? I hope she comes to the game; I hope her sister comes to the game, all her friends come to the game. One of my favorite games of the year, guys.”

Hardy also was criticized and admonished for a reference to guns while explaining his approach to Sunday’s game against the Patriots.

“I hope I come out guns blazing,” Hardy said. “I’m full of excitement and full of juice. I’m ready to go. I have what they call fresh legs.”

On Sunday, the NFL broke its silence about Hardy’s comments.

“I couldn’t disagree more with Greg Hardy’s comments, and they do not reflect the values of the league,” NFL vice president of social responsibility Anna Isaacson told NFL.com. “We are working hard to bring attention to the positive role models many other players represent and also to continue our education with all members of the NFL family. …

“We spend a lot of time at the NFL educating our players on domestic violence and sexual assault. That’s what we control here, we control education. We control training, we control all the league does from a public perspective and public service, working with non-profit organizations. We can control that. So that everyone in the NFL family has the services and resources that they need if they need help.”