Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy is set to return to the playing field for the first time this regular season in week five. Hardy has sat for Dallas’ first four games, serving the suspension that the NFL imposed on him to start the season.
Hardy met with the media for the first time as a member of the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday and he was more than a little excited.
“I hope not long. I hope I come out guns blazin’. I’m full of excitement and full of juice,” Hardy said when he was asked how long he thought it would take him to get back into playing form. “I’m ready to go. I have what they call fresh legs. I’m really excited to get out there on that grass or turf and see what they can do.”
Hardy’s reference to guns could be considered highly questionable given the fact that his suspension stemmed from a domestic violence incident where Hardy was alleged to have thrown his former girlfriend onto a couch that happened to be covered with firearms. Hardy was also accused of choking and threatening to kill his former girlfriend.
Hardy was originally convicted by a judge in a bench trial back in July of 2014, for misdemeanor domestic violence charges. After Hardy appealed the verdict, he was set to stand trial in February, however, his former girlfriend failed to appear in court and the charges against him were dropped.
The Cowboys defensive end isn’t concerning himself with the past now that the regular season is set to begin for him in week five.
“Now that I’m back, I don’t reminisce,” Hardy said. “I don’t look back, other than to know that I need to get forward. I need to get to progress. I need to get sacks. I need to get to the place where I need to be able to help this team.”
Hardy and the Dallas Cowboys (2-2) will host Tom Brady and the undefeated New England Patriots (4-0) on Sunday. The Cowboys have lost two in a row, and will welcome the star defensive player into the fold. With long-term injuries keeping offensive stars Dez Bryant and Tony Romo out for a significant period of time, the Cowboys need their defense to rise to the occasion.
