Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus' eventful offseason took another turn Monday in an Alabama courtroom.
In a letter to The Associated Press, Dareus' lawyer said the 24-year-old has entered a substance abuse program in an effort to get his felony drug charges dismissed. Dareus was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia in May.
Just one month later, he was charged with reckless endangerment for allegedly drag racing and leaving the scene of an accident. Completing the substance abuse program could help get his felony charges dismissed, but he still has to settle his reckless endangerment charges. His next court date is Sept. 9.
Dareus was excused from training camp to handle his legal matters. He was placed on the team's non-football illness list to open training camp after failing a physical with the team. Bills coach Doug Marrone indicated that Dareus would be back with the team on Monday evening. There is no timetable for him to take his conditioning test again.
There is also no timetable for potential NFL punishment. The league could choose to fine or suspend Dareus after his multiple infractions this offseason.
UPDATE: NFL Media's Steve Wyche, on the scene at Bills camp, relays that Dareus was unable to join the team Monday night due to travel delays. Marrone announced Tuesday that Dareus will arrive in camp "before lunch and soon after will begin work with the strength and conditioning staff."
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