Fansided
Fansided

Marcell Dareus Facing Suspension for Substance Abuse

By George Stockburger

Dec 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (99) on the bench in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Bills 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (99) on the bench in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Bills 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Marcell Dareus could miss the start to the season due to suspension

With Karlos Williams already expected to sit out four games with a suspension, the Buffalo Bills are looking at a potential fine with the recent revelations surrounding Marcell Dareus.

The 26-year-old defensive tackle is facing a four game suspension for marijuana use.

Dareus signed a six-year, $96.5 million contract with the Buffalo Bills, which included a $25,000,000 signing bonus, $60,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $16,095,686.

More from NFL Mocks

He is due to earn $7.9 million this season, along with a $7,000,000 signing bonus and a workout bonus $250,000.

The Bills do not have a ton of veteran depth at nose tackle behind Dareus. Corbin Bryant, T.J. Barnes, and Casey Walker are currently listed behind him on the depth chart.

Marcell Dareus’s suspension for marijuana is another instance in a line of protest by current and former NFL players regarding their use of cannabis.

Titans linebacker Derrick Morgan said over the offseason that he feels “like the NFL has a responsibility to look into it, to delegate time and money to research this for its players.”

Ravens offensive lineman Eugene Monroe has also expressed distaste for the leagues’ handling of cannabis products.

Former running back Rickey Williams has been highly outspoken against the policy, and talked to Sports Illustrated about the circumstances around it.

Sports Illustrated also laid out five things in the Collective Bargaining Agreement regarding the league’s drug program.

Live Feed

Kenny Pickett does the unimaginable in Steelers 2023 preseason
Kenny Pickett does the unimaginable in Steelers 2023 preseason /

Still Curtain

  • 3 Lions who earned a roster spot in final preseason game, 1 who should be cutFanSided
  • Even with some unknowns, Packers OL dominates preseasonDairyland Express
  • Steelers Rumors: Kenny Pickett hyperbole, trade candidate, surprise cut decisionFanSided
  • Watch: Trey Palmer makes another highlight reel catch (Video)The Pewter Plank
  • 3 Eagles who earned a roster spot in final preseason game, 1 who should be cutFanSided

    • "1. The league’s substance abuse policy predates its PED protocol. Commissioner Pete Rozelle first introduced a loose recreational drug code, focused on education, in 1971; the preseason testing structure still used today came into being as part of the ’82 CBA—and suspensions didn’t begin until ’89. Separate language for steroids didn’t appear until ’83.2. Players outside the “intervention program”—those who’ve never had a violation—are tested just once a year. Anyone under contract is tested once between April 20 (yup: 4/20) and Aug. 9. The player is given at most a three-hour warning before being visited by a collector, who must directly witness the player providing the urine sample.3. For every player suspended under the policy, five to 10 others anonymously enter and exit the intervention program. Not even teams are made aware of a player’s positive test until he is suspended, which only occurs after multiple violations. Team physicians, however, have that information in order to prevent cross-medication issues.4. Marijuana is handled differently from all other substances. The discipline procedures for marijuana abusers are less strict than violations for all other drugs. Clause 1.5.2(c) states that an additional offense is allowed before suspensions are leveled in cases involving marijuana. And up until that point, fines for positive tests are less steep.5. Hundreds of people are involved in the program. There are generally two or three clinicians per NFL team who administer treatment plans for each player in the program. Then there’s the legion of agents who help conduct 15,000-plus tests each year. Combined with the steroid program, the NFL spends about $13 million per year on its drug programs."

    The Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to end in 2020. Could the 2020 season be held up because of certain players’ stances on marijuana and how it could lead to health benefits rather than recreational use?

    Related Story: How Medical Marijuana Could Save NFL In Concussion War

    Home/NFL News