Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus has been suspended without pay for the first game of the 2015 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, per CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora. The suspension stems from an arrest last year. He is is eligible to participate in all offseason workouts and preseason practices and games.
Marcell Dareus suspended 1 game for substance abuse violation
The Bills will be without one of their best defenders in their season-opener against the Colts.
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Dareus, who is scheduled to earn $8.1 million this season in the option year of his rookie deal, will lose $474,118 in base salary due to the one-game suspension. The Bills play the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1.
The first-round pick out of Alabama was one of the most disruptive pass rushers in the league last year, leading all defensive tackles with 10.0 sacks. He also excelled against the run, receiving the highest run defense grade at his position, per Pro Football Focus. Dareus was selected to the Pro Bowl and was named first-team All-Pro in 2014, capping a career-best season for the fourth-year player.
In his four seasons with the Bills, Dareus has accumulated 28.5 sacks, 202 tackles and two forced fumbles in 63 games (60 starts).
Following the announcement of the suspension, Dareus released a statement apologizing for his actions:
“Last year, I made a mistake involving possession of a banned substance. The NFL’s discipline for this conduct is part of the drug policy, and I apologize to my family, my teammates, the entire Bills organization and Bills fans that I will miss one game as a result of my mistake. I will work intensely that week and will be extremely happy to contribute to a win in week two for the Bills.”
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