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Charlotte, N.C. • Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy has been convicted on two counts of domestic violence and is still playing. Ray McDonald of the San Francisco 49ers also remains active while he is being investigated for abuse allegations.

The Panthers and 49ers both say they are following the NFL's lead, waiting for the legal process to run its course. Neither team has provided details of its investigations.

The cases have similarities to that of Ray Rice, who was released this week by the Baltimore Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the league after an explicit video surfaced of him hitting his then-fiancee.

A law enforcement official told The Associated Press on condition anonymity that he sent a copy of the video to the league in April.

The NFL is under scrutiny for its wait-and-see approach in domestic violence cases like Hardy's.

Judy Harris Kluger, a former New York City judge and now executive director of Sanctuary for Families, is anxious to see how the league handles the two pending cases.

"I think the test for the NFL will be what they do with the other people who are charged now," Kluger said. "And I don't imagine there's a videotape of that. What else did the NFL think happened in that elevator? So yes, it's a very graphic depiction, and they took the action they took now. But I think all of us will be looking to see what they and other organizations do going forward."

While McDonald has not been charged, Hardy has already been convicted on two counts of domestic violence. He has appealed and a hearing is scheduled for Nov. 17.

Hardy, one of the stalwarts on the Panthers' stout defense, is making $13.1 million this season as team's franchise player. He had four tackles and one sack in Carolina's season-opening victory.

Though he has already been found guilty, the league is sticking by its policy to wait until the appeal process has been heard before making any decision on a possible suspension.

"The Hardy matter is under review," league spokesman Greg Aiello said. "The case has not been resolved by the court."

San Jose police are still actively investigating the Aug. 31 incident involving McDonald and detectives will turn over findings to the Santa Clara District Attorney's office for review, Sgt. Heather Randol, a police spokeswoman said Wednesday.

McDonald is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 15.

Around the league

Browns • Suspended receiver Josh Gordon says he does not have a drug problem and believes his case is affecting the possibility the NFL will change its drug policy. Gordon, who was recently banned for the entire season, did an extensive interview with ondecker.com. The Pro Bowler maintains he failed a drug test for marijuana because he was exposed to secondhand smoke. Before his positive test, Gordon said he was clean and had passed 70 tests.

Cardinals • Outside linebacker John Abraham has left the team and is considering retiring from the game. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said on Wednesday that Abraham, the game's active sacks leader and ninth on the NFL's career list with 133 ½, has been granted a leave of absence. The team obtained a roster exemption, using it to re-sign linebacker Marcus Benard.

Jets • Dee Milliner is getting closer to making his season debut. The team's top cornerback returned to practice Wednesday for the first time in a month after a high ankle sprain kept him sidelined since Aug. 10.

Packers • Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr is recovering from a mild stroke. Starr's family said Wednesday in a statement released by the Green Bay Packers that the 80-year-old Starr had the stroke last week.

Rams • Defensive end Chris Long will undergo surgery and is expected to miss most of the season after injuring his left ankle in the opening loss to the Vikings. Coach Jeff Fisher said Wednesday he'd not been optimistic about Long, who was hurt tackling Vikings running back Adrian Peterson in the third quarter. Apparently, Long was stepped on from behind. —

Week 2 schedule

Thursday

• Pittsburgh at Baltimore, 6:25 p.m., NFL Network

Sunday

11 a.m. games

• Miami at Buffalo

• Detroit at Carolina

• Atlanta at Cincinnati

• New Orleans at Cleveland

• New England at Minnesota

• Arizona at N.Y. Giants

• Dallas at Tennessee

• Jacksonville at Washington

Afternoon games

• Seattle at San Diego,2:05 p.m.

• St. Louis at Tampa Bay, 2:05 p.m.

• Houston at Oakland, 2:25 p.m.

• Kansas City at Denver, 2:25 p.m.

• NY. Jets at Green Bay, 2:25 p.m.

• Chicago at San Francisco, 6:30 p.m., Ch. 5

Monday

• Philadelphia at Indianapolis, 6:30 p.m., ESPN