The return of Marcell Dareus (99) will be a big boost to the Bills defense. Photo Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Marcell Dareus is primed for his 2016 season debut with the Buffalo Bills on Sunday against the New England Patriots.
Dareus returned from a four-game suspension with a strained hamstring and has not played during the Bills’ 4-3 start, which included allowing 214 rushing yards to Jay Ajayi of the Miami Dolphins last week.
“We’ve gone the whole year and he hasn’t played a single snap yet, so we’re hoping that he’s out there,” head coach Rex Ryan said. “Obviously he’s one of the best players at his position in the league so it’d be a big boost for us if he’s ready to play.”
Dareus said some of his issues away from the field were related to attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), which he was first diagnosed with during his college days at Alabama. He said he worked on getting that under control during his four-week hiatus, and to that end he has put together a support team that includes a doctor who specializes in treating ADHD, and a life coach who he will lean on for guidance away from the field.
“We just took a positive course of action and I wanted to seek out professionals to help me with my every day situation,” Dareus explained. “From there, I’m looking to move past and continue my ongoing health and my decision making. I saw some issues with myself that I never sought out help for. I read a couple books and wanted to get in contact and the team helped me put forth this action to seek out the help I really needed.”
Ryan said there is trust to rebuild with the Bills after Dareus works his way back for the final nine regular-season games. Dareus said he’s motivated to prove his worth on and off the field.
“I’m playing Sunday, man. I can’t wait,” Dareus said Wednesday. “I’m ready to enjoy myself. Just happy to be out there with the guys. Running around, feeling good. We’re ready to go pull it off, man. We’re going to make it happen.”
Dareus also sought the advice of Bills’ all-time great Bruce Smith who endured some problems of his own early in his career. Dareus visited Smith at his home in Virginia, and Smith told USA Today, “We all have defining moments in our lives and careers. Right now, he’s at a defining moment.”
The Bills went 2-2 in Dareus’ absence, and outside of the awful performance against the Jets in a 37-31 Week 2 loss, the defense played well without him.
Corbin Bryant has been starting in Dareus’ spot along the defensive line, and that may be the case in Los Angeles if Dareus still needs to get into game shape, which is possible. Ryan said he was unsure how much Dareus would play, but he made it clear he would definitely play.
