CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Greg Hardy will start the Carolina Panthers home opener Sunday against the Detroit Lions, coach Ron Rivera said Friday. Hardy missed practice Wednesday to meet with his attorney, but practiced for a second straight day. The defensive end was convicted July 15 of assault on a female and communicating threats, but is appealing. The teams franchise player, Hardy has not been suspended by the NFL or the Panthers despite his conviction following an altercation with his ex-girlfriend at his apartment in March. The league has stated it is waiting to see what happens in a jury trial set for Nov. 17 in Charlotte. Rivera acknowledged dealing with the Hardy situation -- which has received added attention this week after Ray Rice was cut by the Baltimore Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the NFL -- has been a distraction to players. "They want to talk about football," Rivera said. "They want to talk about who theyre playing. They want to talk about themselves. They want to see their pictures in the paper doing good things. That is the truth of the matter. Its hard. It really is. As a coach you want your guys to focus in on what they have to do." But Rivera said his team has handled the distractions well. Rivera said what is hardest to deal with is the "perception" the Panthers dont care about the issue of domestic violence, which he said couldnt be further from the truth. "We are trying to do things the right way," said Rivera, the NFL coach of the year last season. Hardy was unavailable for interviews Friday. Rivera reemphasized the team is following the leagues stance of waiting until the legal process is complete. He was found guilty in a bench trial, but under criminal procedure in North Carolina, lawyers can appeal that ruling. That basically gives Hardy a new trial where he is considered innocent until proven guilty. "Its a tough situation and a set of circumstances," Rivera said. "We are in a process, as weve said, and we are letting the process play out. ... Were not trying to do anything below board, we are trying to go through the process as we understand it. We are going to do the best we can." Theres a chance the jury trial may be pushed back to next year due the cases pending ahead of it in the legal system, Hardys attorney Chris Fialko recently said. By that time, Hardy may be an unrestricted free agent as his current one-year, $13.1 million contract expires after the season. Rivera said in the meantime the focus is on football. He said Hardy, who had four tackles and a sack in last weeks 20-14 win over Tampa Bay, doesnt appeared distracted on the field. "Greg gets on the practice field and hes full go," Rivera said. "Hes full blast 100 per cent. Football is football to him and he is focusing in on what needs to be done." NOTES: Running back DeAngelo Williams missed his second straight day of practice with a thigh injury and is questionable. Jonathan Stewart will start if Williams cant play. ... Rivera listed Cam Newton (ribs) as probable, but said theres "no doubt" the quarterback will start after practicing all week. ... Tight end Greg Olsen is probable after leaving practice early Thursday to be with his 2-year-old son, T.J., who is battling heart problems. Rivera said the youngster is doing much better but didnt share any details. .. In other injury news, reserve offensive lineman Garry Williams (hip) and linebacker Jason Williams (thigh) are questionable for Sunday. Cheap Swingman Pacers Jerseys . The traditional pre-Masters event was halted early due to inclement weather. Harrington, who tied for first in 2003 and won in 2004, became the first three-time champion of the event. T.J. Leaf Jersey . They kicked off the still-going trend of host cities winning the Grey Cup and sent Hall of Fame head coach Wally Buono to the front office a champion. http://www.cheappacersjerseys.com/?tag=c...l-george-jersey. 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DETROIT LIONS AT ATLANTA FALCONS, 9:30 AM (ET) Detroit - RB Reggie Bush, TE Eric Ebron, TE Joseph Fauria, WR Calvin Johnson, QB Kellen Moore, TE Brandon Pettigrew, OT LaAdrian Waddle Atlanta - CB Javier Arenas, DT Jonathan Babineaux, OT Cameron Bradfield, WR Freddie Martino, QB Sean Renfree, OT Jonathan Scott, LB Tyler Starr SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS, 1:00 PM (ET) Seattle - DT Jordan Hill, CB Byron Maxwell, OT Andrew McDonald, TE Zach Miller, C Max Unger, LB Bobby Wagner, WR Bryan Walters Carolina - CB Bene Benwikere, LB Chase Blackburn, WR Philly Brown, G Amini Silatolu, G Trai Turner, RB Fozzy Whittaker, RB DeAngelo Williams HOUSTON TEXANS AT TENNESSEE TITANS, 1:00 PM (ET) Houston - OT Jeff Adams, DB Josh Aubrey, LB Brian Cushing, DB Darryl Morris, WR DeVier Posey, QB Tom Savage, LB Jeff Tarpinian Tennessee - RB Antonio Andrews, WR Kris Durham, TE Richard Gordon, DL DaQuan Jones, CB Coty Sensabaugh, OT Will Svitek, TE Taylor Thompson BALTIMORE RAVENS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS, 1:00 PM (ET) Baltimore - CB Chykie Brown, LB Arthur Brown, DL Chris Canty, TE Owen Daniels, G/C Gino Gradkowski, RB Bernard Pierce, OT Jah Reid Cincinnati - RB Rex Burkhead, DE Will Clarke, WR A. Myles Turner Jersey . George Hill had 13 points and seven rebounds for the Pacers, who stayed atop the overall NBA standings despite losing twice on their West Coast trip. Los Angeles kept it close into the second half before the Pacers finished an easy win over the injury-riddled Lakers, who have lost five straight.Both the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers suffered painful, last-minute defeats on Sunday, but neither has time to dwell as they meet on Thursday night. The Saints scored a last-minute touchdown to draw level with the Denver Broncos, with just the extra point needed to take the lead. However, the kick was blocked and Will Parks ran the ball 85 yards for a two point score, securing Denvers 25-23 win. After Brandin Cooks 32 yard touchdown, Will Parks stole the game for Denver with a two point defensive score Carolina led Kansas City 17-3 going into the fourth quarter but the Chiefs rallied late, and Eric Berrys 42-yard interception return TD set up an opportunity for Cairo Santos to score a 38-yard field goal as time expired to complete a 20-17 comeback win. The teams met last in week six, where Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw for almost 500 yards as New Orleans top ranked offence ran riot in a 41-38 home win. The Atlanta Falcons loss to Philadelphia on Sunday means that the NFC South is still in the balance, and both the Saints and Panthers are clinging on to hopes of a play-off appearance. A divisional loss for either side would almost certainly end those hopes. Join our studio audience for Thanksgiving! Sky Sports is opening its doors for a live Thanksgiving show on Thursday, November 24.dddddddddddd After an 0-3 start it has been steady improvement from New Orleans (4-5), who sit just two games behind the divisional leading Falcons. The defence put up its best performance this season against the Broncos, and defensive end Cameron Jordan will view this game as an opportunity to add to his four sacks so far. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks will look to build on his 98 yards in week 10, which included a 32-yard touchdown under pressure. Rookie Michael Thomas has impressed with five scores so far this year, and it will be up to Brees to utilise him and Cooks, to move the offence downfield. Brandin Cooks added a touchdown to a 98 yard performance against Denver It has been a frustrating season for Carolina (3-6), who opened with four losses in their first five weeks. A two game winning streak was snapped by the Chiefs in week 10, and they must get back to winning ways against the Saints to have any chance of progressing to the post season.The Panthers defence is much improved since losing to New Orleans, and Brees and co. should face a tougher test this time around, away from the Superdome. Though they still rank 23rd in pass defence, the Panthers are beginning to show last years form, having registered 15 sacks in the last three games. Despite complaints of a lack of protection, Cam Newton has looked more confident in recent weeks and will be crucial for the Panthers slim play-off hopes This is a huge game for both teams, but it is Carolinas to lose. Cam Newton looks to be getting back to MVP form, and the defence is growing in confidence after a shaky start. But if theres a quarterback to pile on the pressure and expose a teams frailties, it will be Brees. You can watch the Saints @ Panthers on Friday November 18 from 12:30am live on Sky Sports 1. Also See: NFL week ten highlights Be a part of our Thanksgiving audience! 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