( CNN ) -- Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy , who was convicted of domestic violence this summer , did not play Sunday in his team 's win over the Detroit Lions . The news comes amid increased focus on the National Football League and the way it handles players accused of domestic violence . Until the team 's surprising announcement just before game time , Hardy was set to play Sunday . Ray Rice , recently released by the Baltimore Ravens , and Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson wo n't play either . Peterson was placed on the inactive list late last week after he was indicted by a grand jury in Texas on a child abuse charge . He tweeted a photo on Sunday of a highlighted religious devotion that cautions people against passing judgment . Rice , meanwhile , might never play again , since the NFL suspended him indefinitely after a video was posted online that showed him punching out his now-wife in February . 'Zero applause for the Panthers ' Authorities say Hardy in May choked his then-girlfriend , threw her around , dragged her by her hair and threatened to kill her . He was sentenced in July to 18 months of probation and a 60-day suspended sentence for the misdemeanors with which he was charged . The 6-foot-4 , 275 pound defensive end says he is innocent and has appealed a guilty verdict rendered by a Mecklenburg County judge in North Carolina . Critics had wondered how Rice could be suspended while Hardy had not . Even after the Panthers deactivated him Sunday , it was too little too late for some . `` Zero applause for the Panthers , '' Sports Illustrated 's Richard Deitsch tweeted . `` They ceded to press/public pressure . It was disgrace it took this long . '' 'Climate has changed ' The Panthers drew heated criticism over its handling of Hardy even while speaking out against domestic violence . Owner Jerry Richardson , while accepting a civic award last week , began to cry while speaking about domestic violence . `` When it comes to domestic violence , my stance is not one of indifference . I stand firmly against domestic violence , plain and simple , '' he told the audience in Charlotte . `` To those who would suggest we 've been too slow to act , I ask that you consider not to be too quick to judge . '' Although he did not mention the words `` domestic violence '' in his post-game remarks , Panthers coach Ron Rivera obliquely acknowledged the controversy looming over not just Hardy , but over the entire league . `` The climate has changed , '' he said . `` We really do have to get this right . Believe me . I understand that '' Harsher penalties for domestic violence . In the wake of the Ray Rice incident , NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced more severe punishment guidelines to the NFL 's personal conduct policy . According to an August 28 memo sent by Goodell to all 32 teams , anyone in the league -- players or team personnel -- will be suspended for a minimum of six games for a first offense of domestic violence . Players are granted the opportunity to appeal . Ray Rice has until midnight Tuesday to file his appeal , if he chooses to do so . What 's not clear is whether the NFL would apply these new guidelines retroactively , which is perhaps one explanation as to why Hardy -- sentenced a month before Goodell 's memo -- has not yet been dealt with by the NFL . Another explanation could be that the league is waiting for the legal process to play itself out . Hardy has another trial scheduled for November . CNN reached out to the NFL Sunday but had not immediately heard back . Meanwhile , Hardy will continue be paid while he is on the inactive list . CNN 's Jill Martin contributed to this story .
NEW : ' Panthers coach and team ` ` will get it right '' Greg Jennings was convicted of domestic violence but has appealed , saying he is innocent . Ray Rice was suspended indefinitely after video surfaced of him punching now - retired . Neither Rice nor Vikings ' Adrian Peterson has faced trial , but they ' ve been benched .