TMZ Sports is reporting Carolina Panthers star defensive end Greg Hardy has been arrested on domestic abuse charges in Charlotte.

According to the website, Hardy, known by teammates as "Da Kraken," was taken into custody on suspicion of domestic abuse charges early Tuesday morning after police were called to investigate a fight he was having with his girlfriend.

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TMZ adds when Mecklenburg officers arrived at the scene just after 4:00 a.m. they found Hardy's 24-year-old girlfriend of the last year nursing several scratches and bruises and complaining of being further threatened.

A 6-foot-4, 290 lb. Pro Bowler, Hardy is slated to make $13.1 million with the Panthers next season as leader of one of the league's most stout defenses after Carolina franchise tagged him. With Hardy anchoring the defense and star quarterback Cam Newton the offense, the Panthers advanced to the NFC playoffs last season before falling to Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers.

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Overall, the 25-year-old Hardy led the Panthers with 15 sacks and added 59 tackles overall. The five-year veteran's best season came in 2012, when he finished with 41 solo tackles, 20 assists and 11 sacks. Hardy has now averaged slightly more than eight sacks per season, including 13 over the last two seasons.

Carolina general manager Dave Gettleman has said repeatedly he hopes to sign the 2010 sixth-round pick to a long-term contract.

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