If injuries and suspensions counted as wins, the Bills would already be close to locking up a playoff berth.
As a result of today’s news that Marcell Dareus will be suspended to start the season and the report that Manny Lawson is facing a one-game suspension, the Bills will be at three total suspensions, if Lawson’s suspension is upheld. (Previously, running back Karlos Williams was suspended four games under the substance-abuse policy.) By rule, the Bills will be required to surrender 25 percent of the money the players will lose during their suspension, up to a limit of $250,000, once Lawson’s suspension becomes final.
Thanks to the $7.9 million salary to be paid this year to Dareus, the Bills will easily hit the limit. For Dareus alone, 25 percent of his lost salary exceeds $464,000.
The Cowboys also are facing $250,000 in fines as a result of three suspensions, and the Steelers will be coughing up 15 percent of lost wages experienced by receiver Martavis Bryant and running back Le’Veon Bell, if Bell’s four-game suspension is upheld.