The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bills’ Dareus to enter rehab
DT suspended for substance abuse; RB Williams cut.
Buffalo Bills star defensive tackle Marcell Dareus says he will enter a rehabilitation facility after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy for a second consecutive season.
Dareus said he took “careful consideration” before announcing his plans in a statement released by the Bills on Saturday, about an hour before Buffalo hosted the New York Giants in a preseason game.
“I feel this is the best decision for me, my family and my teammates as I move forward with my career,” Dareus said. “I appreciate the support of my teammates and the Bills organization through this process.”
General manager Doug Whaley said the team supported Dareus’ decision, but he provided few other details. Whaley said Dareus was still with the team but would not play against the Giants. He didn’t know when Dareus would check into a rehab facility or how long the process would take.
Dareus’ decision to enter rehab comes four days after the NFL suspended the Bills’ top-paid player for the first four games of the season. Last year, he was suspended for the season opener for another violation of the policy. Dareus said his latest suspension was the result of a missed drug test. He is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and has been a starter since Buffalo drafted him with the No. 3 pick in 2011.
Dareus announced his decision the same day the Bills released backup running back Karlos Williams, who also was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Without providing any details, the Bills released the backup who raised concerns with the team in June for showing up overweight to Buffalo’s mandatory minicamp. Williams was so out of shape that he missed the first two weeks of training camp before being cleared for practice Monday.
Packers: Coach Mike McCarthy said wide receiver Jordy Nelson, who was recently activated from the physically unable to perform list, will practice when the Packers get back on the field Monday. But Nelson will be a limited participant.
“He’ll go through the individual (drills), and then we’ll kind of take it from there,” McCarthy said. “So first things first.”
After not playing last season because of a torn ACL in his right knee, Nelson missed the first three weeks of training camp with an injury to his other knee, which he called “a hiccup.”
Vikings: Coach Mike Zimmer said he has “no concern” about quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, after holding him out of the second preseason game as an injury precaution. Zimmer said Saturday that Bridgewater could have played Thursday at Seattle and refused to characterize Bridgewater’s condition, but ESPN. com reported Bridgewater has a sore shoulder.
Bridgewater practiced in full pads Saturday, but didn’t throw a pass.
Chargers: Backup tight end Jeff Cumberland (left Achilles) and guard Donavan Clark (right knee) were put on injured reserve after sustaining season-ending injuries in Friday night’s preseason game against Arizona.
Falcons: Re-signed veteran kicker Shayne Graham, who played five games with the team in 2015. The 38-year-old Graham made 11 of 13 field-goal attempts and all eight extra points with Atlanta last season. Falcons kicker Matt Bryant was held out of Thursday night’s preseason win at Cleveland with leg tightness.
Eagles: Rookie linebacker Joe Walker, a seventh-round draft pick, will miss the season after suffering an ACL injury in Thursday night’s preseason game in Pittsburgh.