Two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcell Dareus hasn’t played for the Buffalo Bills this season, but said he’ll be ready to go against the New England Patriots on Sunday.
“I’m playing Sunday, man,” Dareus said at a Wednesday press conference. “I can’t wait. 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.”
UP NEXT
WHO: Patriots (6-1) at Bills (4-3)
WHEN: 1 p.m. Sunday
TELEVISION: CBS
Dareus declared he’d play on Sunday even though he was listed as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday on the Bills’ injury report.
Dareus missed the first four games of the season because he was suspended by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
After returning from the suspension, Dareus pulled a hamstring in his first week of practice, causing him to miss Buffalo’s past three games.
“I did whatever the team needed me to do,” Dareus said. “Whatever our trainers requested of me, whatever our strength coaches felt was best, stuck to a strict plan and, hopefully, this time it works because I don’t need any more minor setbacks. I’m ready to play, man. Sitting on the bench isn’t any fun.”
Without Dareus on the defensive line, the Bills rank 27th in the NFL in rushing defense this season. The Miami Dolphins defeated Buffalo 28-25 on Sunday as Jay Ajayi ran for 214 yards.
“It’s pretty hard sitting there and not being able to help,” Dareus said. “It was a point where being the biggest cheerleader didn’t matter. I really just wanted to be out there. I always want to help more than just pep the guys up. It was a tough game.”
The Bills are 4-3, and gave the Patriots their only loss this season, a 16-0 Buffalo victory at Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Oct. 2. That was the just third win for the Bills in 11 games against New England since Dareus joined Buffalo.
But the Patriots played the game earlier this month without quarterback Tom Brady, who was serving his four-game suspension. Brady has returned to pass for 1,004 yards with eight touchdowns and no interceptions in three games.
“I love playing against him,” Dareus said. “He’s the type of competitor that I feel that I am, and I just like to go out there and show him what I have. I just can’t wait to see the guy. It’s good to see him across the field trying to get away from me.”
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