Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus says he will make his 2016 debut against the New England Patriots.
"I'm playing Sunday, man. I can't wait," Dareus said Wednesday. "I'm ready to enjoy myself. Just happy to be out there with the guys. Running around, feeling good. We're ready to go pull it off, man. We're going to make it happen."
Said coach Rex Ryan on Thursday: "I hope he's right."
Dareus has yet to play this season because of a four-game suspension and a hamstring injury that has kept him out of the past three games. He practiced Wednesday for the first time since injuring the hamstring.
He would rejoin a defense coming off a disappointing effort against the Miami Dolphins and running back Jay Ajayi, who rushed for 214 yards in last week's win.
Ryan told reporters he is hopeful that Dareus will be ready to go this weekend.
"We've gone the whole year and [Dareus] hasn't played a single snap yet, so we're hoping that he's out there," Ryan said. "Obviously he's one of the best players at his position in the league so it'd be a big boost for us if he's ready to play."
Information from ESPN staff writer Mike Rodak and The Associated Press contributed to this report.