NFL-National Football League roundup

Aug 20 (The Sports Xchange) - Suspended Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus said Saturday that he will enter a rehabilitation center. Earlier this week, the NFL handed Dareus a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. He will have to sit out a very difficult opening stretch for the Bills - at the Baltimore Ravens, home against the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals, and then at the New England Patriots. "After careful consideration of recent events within my life, I have made the decision to enter a rehabilitation facility," Dareus said in a statement issued by the Bills. "I feel this is the best decision for me, my family and my teammates as I move forward with my career." Dareus sat out the 2015 season opener against Indianapolis as punishment for his initial substance-abuse offense. This second one was the result of a missed test. The Bills just gave Dareus a $103 million contract extension last year which included $60 million in guaranteed money. The suspension will cost Dareus about $3.3 million. -- The Bills have given up on Karlos Williams, releasing the second-year running back. The 23-year-old Williams, who showed up for offseason workouts 20-25 pounds overweight, was suspended by the NFL in July for the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. He can serve the suspension as a free agent if he is not claimed off waivers or signed by another team. On Monday, the Bills activated Williams from the active/non-football illness list after he passed his physical and he practiced with the team this past week. Last year, the fifth-round pick from Florida State rushed for 517 yards and seven touchdowns, and tied an NFL rookie record by scoring in each of his first six games. -- Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is suffering from a slight MCL sprain and did not play against the San Diego Chargers on Friday night. "It's just minor," head coach Bruce Arians said after the Cardinals lost to the San Diego Chargers 19-3. Fitzgerald missed two games in 2014 because of an MCL injury in his right knee. -- The Minnesota Vikings signed quarterback Brad Sorensen. Sorensen joins the Vikings after spending time with the San Diego Chargers and the Tennessee Titans. Sorensen became the first-ever NFL draft pick from Southern Utah when the Chargers selected him in the seventh round in 2013. He has not appeared in an NFL regular-season game. -- The Atlanta Falcons signed kicker Shayne Graham and safety Sergio Brown. Graham was originally signed by the New Orleans Saints as a college free agent following the 2000 draft out of Virginia Tech and has spent time with 10 different teams, including his latest stop with the Falcons last season. Graham made the Pro Bowl in 2005 when he played for the Cincinnati Bengals. Brown was originally signed by the New England Patriots following the 2010 draft out of Notre Dame, and joined the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. Brown's last stop was in Jacksonville. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin will miss Saturday's preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars because of bruised ribs, according to multiple reports. Martin's injury is not expected to keep him out beyond this week. Last year, Martin led the Bucs with 1,402 yards on 288 carries with six touchdowns. -- Al Michaels will call NFL games on "Thursday Night Football" for NBC in addition to his play-by-play duties on "Sunday Night Football." Michaels will work the Thursday night games with his analyst partner Cris Collinsworth. (Editing by Larry Fine) ))