The Sports Xchange

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy had his NFL suspension reduced from 10 games to four by an arbitrator.

The NFL announced Friday that arbitrator Harold Henderson upheld Hardy’s suspension for conduct detrimental to the league, but reduced the number of games on appeal.

Hardy will be permitted to take part in training camp and preseason games. The suspension will begin Sept. 5.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that agent Drew Rosenhaus, the NFL Players Association and Hardy’s lawyer will consider their options before deciding how to proceed and whether to accept the reduction.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Hardy in April following a two-month investigation by the league into Hardy’s domestic violence incident last year involving ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder. The charges against Hardy were eventually dismissed after Holder refused to cooperate with the Mecklenburg (North Carolina) County district attorney’s office.

The NFL pushed to get photos and details of the attack from investigators and was allowed to view pictures and physical evidence.

Goodell said the evidence — including “hands to the head, hands to the neck” — was a major part of the case against Hardy, who met with the NFL twice during the league’s 60-day investigation.

Hardy played only one game last season but received $13.1 million from the Carolina Panthers. He was placed on the inactive roster in Week 2 and then put on the commissioner’s exempt list before Week 3.

Hardy signed with the Cowboys to an incentive-laden one-year deal in March. The deal for the former Pro Bowl player carries a salary of $750,000, but he could earn as much as $13.2 million, according to reports. Hardy will be paid $578,125 per game when he is active.

Hardy and the NFLPA appealed the suspension under the basis that he was punished under the new personal conduct policy rather than the old one which was in place when the alleged violation occurred.