Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy, who has been on the commissioner’s exempt list since Sept. 17, said he is hopeful to return this season.

“I want to play, man,” Hardy told ESPN.com at Miami International Airport on Friday in his first public comments since going on the exempt list. “My team, you know, is losing right now. So I can’t wait.”

Hardy has been on NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s exempt list with pay while his domestic violence case is pending. The trial in Mecklenburg County (N.C) was recently postponed until early 2015.

The Panthers are 3-5-1 this season.

Hardy said he was in South Florida this week to meet with his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Despite not playing since Week 1, Hardy said he continues to train regularly.

Hardy has received support from Panthers coach Ron Rivera, who believes the defensive end should return to the field now that the trial is postponed.

An NFL spokesman told ESPN.com on Wednesday that there has been no change in Hardy’s status.

“The agreement with the union regarding Greg Hardy’s status states that he agreed to be placed on the commissioner-exempt list with full pay until the criminal charges pending against him are adjudicated, and that no discipline will be imposed against him by the team or league until the charges are adjudicated,” the statement from the NFL said.