Bills Defense Takes Another Hit

It appears that the Buffalo Bills will be without defensive tackle Marcel Dareus for the first four games of the 2016 season as he is reportedly facing a suspension for violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.

Bills DT Marcel Dareus is facing a four-game suspension for another violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, league sources tell ESPN.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 16, 2016

Dareus’ suspension is yet another blow for a Bills defense that will likely be without it’s first round pick, Shaq Lawson, as well as Manny Lawson and second-round pick Reggie Ragland.  The team will also be without running back Karlos Williams for the first four games of the season due to his own suspension.

This isn’t Dareus’ first slip-up, as he was suspended for the season opener last year after an arrest for felony possession of a controlled substance.

The Bills and Dareus agreed on a seven-year, $103 million contract last year with $60 million guaranteed.  During the first four games of the season, Buffalo will play the Baltimore Ravens, the New York Jets, the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots, likely without Dareus or Karlos Williams.

Unless head coach Rex Ryan can work some sort of magic, or if Tyrod Taylor can play like Aaron Rodgers, Buffalo could dig themselves in a pretty significant hole during the first month of the season.