Carolina Panthers NFL football defensive end Greg Hardy leaves the Mecklenburg County jail after being released on bond in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, May 14, 2014. Hardy was arrested Tuesday and charged with assault on a female and communicating threats. (AP Photo)

Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy turns over 10 guns

Carolina Panthers NFL football defensive end Greg Hardy leaves the Mecklenburg County jail after being released on bond in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, May 14, 2014. Hardy was arrested Tuesday and charged with assault on a female and communicating threats. (AP Photo)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s spokeswoman said Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy turned over 10 guns to police as part of a court order.

Julia Rush said all the guns surrendered Friday were legal under North Carolina statutes. A license is not needed to own a gun in the state, only a permit to purchase and carry a concealed weapon.

The guns were an assortment of semi-automatic rifles and .12-gauge shotguns.

The 25-year-old Hardy, tagged as Carolina’s franchise player this season, voluntarily surrendered the weapons.

Hardy was arrested Tuesday for assaulting a female and communicating threats. He was released Wednesday on $17,000 bond. As part of his bond agreement he was ordered to turn over all weapons he owns or has access to.

His next court date is June 27.

Welker’s luck continues

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It turns out Wes Welker’s luck at the Kentucky Derby extended beyond the racetrack and into the cashier’s window.

Welker was seen at Churchill Downs with a large stack of cash and handing out $100 bills to random people earlier this month.

A spokesman for Churchill Downs said Friday that a patron believed to be a member of Welker’s group was accidentally overpaid $14,898. TMZ reported that the Denver Broncos receiver sent a friend to collect his winnings for him.

Although the track sent a letter to that individual seeking repayment, the track doesn’t expect to be repaid.

Welker told “The Dan Patrick Show” on Friday that he and his friends never calculated how much they were due and that they made most of their winnings at the Kentucky Derby from boxing Commanding Curve.

Colts star Mathis suspended

INDIANAPOLIS — NFL sacks champion Robert Mathis has been suspended for four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

The league made the announcement Friday.

Mathis set a franchise record with 19 ½ sacks last season, winning the league title in that category, and he is one of the most respected leaders on the team.

Though Mathis can participate in offseason workouts, training camp and preseason games, he will not be return to the team until Sept. 29.

In a statement, the Colts said they wanted to reassure Mathis that he would remain an “honored and cherished” member of the team.

Raiders sign RB Atkinson

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders signed former Notre Dame running back George Atkinson III and 10 other undrafted free agents.

The team announced the signings on Friday before the start of a three-day rookie minicamp.

Atkinson’s father, George, was a safety for the Raiders for 10 seasons. The younger Atkinson rushed for 943 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career at Notre Dame. He also returned two kicks for scores.