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Posted: Wednesday, 12 September 2012 1:29PM

Despite tragedy, Bills expect Dareus to play Sunday



Orchard Park, NY (WGR 550)  -- It certainly was not the news Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus was hoping to receive on his off day after the team's regular season opener. Dareus' brother, 19-year-old Simeon Gilmore, was one of three victims shot to death during a burglary in Birmingham, Alabama.

Speaking for the first time since the news broke, Bills head coach Chan Gailey spoke on behalf of the organization.

"All of our condolences do go out to he and the family," Gailey said Wednesday. "He's got a lot on his plate to say the least."

One of the questions that run rampant after a player suffers a personal tragedy is whether or not the player will be emotionally ready to play in the team's next game. In the case of Dareus, Gailey said it seems like his starting defensive tackle will be out there for the team's home opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"I talked to him this morning," said the head coach. "I think he'll be back for Sunday's game, whether it's tonight, tomorrow or the next day I don't know. But I think he'll be here for this week. He wants to be back."

Dareus did not participate in practice on Wednesday. The only other player not to take part in the session was injured running back Fred Jackson.

As for the rest of the team heading in to their second game, a couple of key injuries were suffered on the offensive side of things. The team will be without both running back Fred Jackson and wide receiver David Nelson. While the performance of running back C.J. Spiller takes the pressure off the Jackson loss, a large query remains as to who will step in to Nelson's role on the offense.

One candidate to man the slot in the Bills' spread offense is Donald Jones.

"Yeah, he can go inside and play inside and I don't have any problems with that," Gailey said. "I think he proved to us in the off-season and pre-season that he can go do that if need be."

On Monday, the head coach declared that rookie wide receiver T.J. Graham would also have a heightened role in the offense this week due to the injury. He was inactive for the team's first game against the New York Jets.

Twitter: @JoeB_WGR

All photos courtesy of AP
Since Terry Pegula asked, what has Darcy done wrong?
  missed playoffs last two years
  too loyal to his players
  no extensive coach search
  too much money too early for Myers
 
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