Marcell Dareus to Enter Rehabilitation Center: Latest Details and Comments

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus announced Saturday he will voluntarily enter a rehabilitation facility, per the Bills' media relations department.

"I feel this is the best decision for me, my family and my teammates as I move forward with my career," Dareus said in a statement. "I appreciate the support of my teammates and the Bills organization through this process."

Bills general manager Doug Whaley said Saturday neither Dareus nor the team knows yet when he'll return, per Matthew Fairburn of New York Upstate.

Dareus will miss the first four games of the 2016 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The league had suspended him the first game in the 2015 campaign for a previous infraction. The 26-year-old confirmed he missed a drug test, which led to his most recent violation, per WKBW's Joe Buscaglia.

Beyond his one-game suspension, Dareus is coming off a somewhat disappointing season. He was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2014, but his sack totals fell from 10 the year before to two in 2015. Pro Football Focus still graded him the 17th-best interior defender (87.4) in the league.

Dareus will be a key figure for the Bills defense this season and beyond. This is the first year that his six-year, $95.1 million extension kicks in.

Whaley affirmed the team's commitment to the defensive tackle, per Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News: "It's frustration and disappointment. But this guy's family. And I know Western New Yorkers are big on family values and we will not give up on a family member, especially in a time of need. That's the easy thing to do."

Despite being out for the first four games, Dareus is eligible to practice with the team and play in the preseason, but that will take a back seat to his recovery.

The earliest he can suit up in the regular season is Buffalo's Week 5 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 9.