Marcell Dareus Suspended 4 Games: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The NFL has suspended Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus for the first four games of the 2016 season because of a violation of the league's substance abuse policy. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the news on Aug. 16, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network noted the suspension is marijuana-related. He was previously in the drug program and was suspended for the first game of the 2015 season. 

On Aug. 17, Dareus confirmed the suspension was due to a missed drug test, per Joe Buscaglia of WKBW.

The Bills released a statement on Dareus' situation:

"I'm frustrated and disappointed [in Dareus], and so is everyone in this organization," head coach Rex Ryan told reporters on Aug. 17.

Dareus announced he was entering rehab on Saturday: 

Dareus also issued an apology on Instagram:

"

With deepest regrets I want to apologize to the @BuffaloBills organization, my fans, my family and the entire NFL football community for the incident that led to me missing 4 games for the upcoming 2016-2017 season. I will not #makeexcuses for the events in question and will allow the process to proceed as is required by the @NFL; however, please know and understand I am committed to the game and am more committed to my #Billsorganization and fans. This temporary setback will only fuel my desire and commitment to bring #Buffalochampionships and the #SuperBowl. I ask at this time that you continue to #believe in me and I will continue to invest all that I have to bring honor and respect to the organization and my fans and ultimately bring #Buffalomafia what it deserves - a #SuperBowl! Thank you for continuing to support me - I will rise above this setback, as with every challenge brings an opportunity for growth and supreme #success!

"

"I really don't have much to say," Dareus said Wednesday, per Buscaglia. "Words don't mean anything now. It's all actions, now. I've apologized to my team."

A two-time Pro Bowler, Dareus recorded 51 tackles and a career-low two sacks in 2015. His struggles were part of a team-wide sack epidemic, with a number of players left over from the previous regime proving ill fits for Ryan's attacking 3-4 system. 

"I feel like we've had a lot of talent, but, at the same time, I don't know—I'm not the head coach, I'm not the head of—I'm a nose tackle, and I am in control of my position," Dareus said last December as part of seeming rebuke of Ryan, per Dom Cosentino of NJ.com.

Dareus had previously played a standard, attacking defensive tackle spot as part of a Buffalo defense that led the NFL in sacks in 2014. He set a career high in sacks with 10 during that season and had at least 5.5 in each of his first four years. Despite the decrease in counting stats, Pro Football Focus still ranked Dareus the 17th-best interior defensive lineman in 2015.

News of his suspension could not come at a worse time, with the Bills already dealing with a number of injuries to their front seven. Linebackers Reggie Ragland and IK Enemkpali—whom Buffalo is expected to release, per the Associated Press (via FoxSports.com)—suffered torn ACLs during the preseason, and veteran edge-rusher Manny Lawson is dealing with a torn pectoral.

With the playoffs marked as a clear goal after an 8-8 season, the Bills are already facing an uphill battle in fixing their defense. 

Dareus, meanwhile, is quickly developing a reputation as a player who can't keep his nose out of trouble. A year after the Bills inked him to a massive six-year extension, it's fair to wonder if they wish they had waited things out.

Follow Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) on Twitter.