We now know what caused Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus to be suspended for the first four games of the 2016 regular season.
Dareus spoke to the media after the team’s training camp practice this morning and provided the key detail.
Dareus: It was a missed drug test.
— Tom Martin (@4TomMartin) August 17, 2016
It’s the same violation for which Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell was suspended. Pittsburgh’s superstar will also miss the first four games of the 2016 regular season.
Bell initially seemed (unjustifiably?) confident he’d win his appeal with the “new phone, who’s this?” excuse, but that confidence has apparently subsided. On the other hand, Dareus has given no indication whatsoever that he plans to appeal.
Tim Graham of The Buffalo News astutely pointed out while Dareus learned of the suspension this past Saturday, he and the Bills organization were aware of the missed test when it happened this past offseason.
Dareus said he missed a test. He (and the Bills) knew he had missed a test. He didn't miss it Saturday. https://t.co/1uUY5F1XQJ
— Tim Graham (@ByTimGraham) August 17, 2016
Dareus getting hit with a four-game suspension for missing a drug test will likely incite some anger amount Bills fans. But that consequence is following standard protocol from the CBA agreed upon by the owners and the NFL Players Union in 2011.
Being a second-time substance abuse policy offender likely led to the Buffalo’s stud defensive tackle receiving a four-game ban for his missed test.