Minor tweaks and injuries are an inevitable part of training camp. But for the Buffalo Bills, it's still not easy to see it happen to their best defensive player.
Defensive tackle Marcell Dareus injured his hamstring Friday, according to the club. Coach Sean McDermott confirmed as much in an interview with reporters Saturday.
"Any time players miss time, you get concerned, whether it's Marcell or anyone else," McDermott said, via the Buffalo News. "I'm going to stay positive with it. He's done a great job of being in shape at this point in camp. Really handled things well. So we'll see how this unfolds."
Speaking on Inside Training Camp Live, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport described Dareus' status as day to day and that it isn't a significant issue, per sources informed of the situation.
Dareus was spotted riding the recovery bike off to the side Saturday during the Bills' first padded practice. As the Buffalo News noted, soft tissue injuries (groin, hamstring) cost Dareus a quarter of his season last year.
If the Bills had to sustain an injury like this, at least it happened early in training camp. While hamstring issues are notoriously fickle, Dareus has a month to get better before the regular season starts. Even with a new head coach, a two-time Pro Bowler like Dareus is a lock for the starting lineup, even with a shift to a base 4-3 defense under McDermott.
