The NFL suspended Buffalo Bills star defensive tackle Marcell Dareus for the first four games this season — the same punishment Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will serve for “Deflategate’’ — after the Bills’ highest-paid player violated the league’s substance-abuse policy for the second time in two years. The league, which banned Dareus from last year’s season opener, did not disclose the substance that led to Dareus’s latest sanction. ‘‘From ownership down, we have made it clear his behavior is unacceptable,’’ the Bills said in a statement. ‘‘We are very disappointed Marcell chose to put himself first, before his teammates, coaches, the rest of the organization, and fans through his recent actions.’’ Dareus, who will be eligible to rejoin the team Oct. 3 after Buffalo plays at New England, becomes the Bills’ second player to earn a four-game suspension to open this season after running back Karlos Williams was banned last month for violating the substance-abuse policy. Dareus, a five-year starter who was selected No. 3 overall in the 2011 draft, was expected to anchor a three-man defensive front alongside veteran Kyle Williams and rookie third-round pick Adolphus Washington. The suspension is the latest blow to Rex Ryan’s revamped defense, which is already depleted by injuries to linebacker Shaq Lawson, the rookie first-round pick who will miss the first month of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery in May; and rookie second-round pick Reggie Ragland, who suffered a season-ending left knee injury 10 days ago. Ryan did get some uplifting news when Manny Lawson, who missed the first two weeks of camp with a torn pectoral muscle, was cleared to practice.

Defiant Harrison refuses to talk to leagueSteelers’ linebacker James Harrison, one of NFL four players being eyed for suspension by the league for their alleged link to performance-enhancing drugs, risked being sanctioned for defiantly resisting to cooperate with league investigators by Aug. 25. ‘‘I’m not going to answer questions for every little thing that some Tom, Dick, and Harry comes up with,’’ Harrison said. ‘‘If that’s the case, somebody can come out and say that James Harrison is a pedophile. [Are] they going to suspend me and put me in an investigation for being a pedophile just because somebody said it?’’ Harrison said. He agreed in June to an interview if it were at his home and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was present. “Like I said before, I don’t have a problem with doing an interview,’’ Harrison said. ‘‘Come to my house. Bring Roger with you.’’ . . . Desperate for receivers, the Eagles dealt veteran offensive lineman Dennis Kelly to the Titans in exchange for Dorial Green-Beckham, a talented player who has struggled with consistency and sidetracked by off-field issues . . . The Jets placed RB Bernard Pierce on injured reserve with a hamstring injury and signed veteran RB Antone Smith . . . With Colin Kaepernick dealing with tightness in his throwing shoulder and Thaddeus Lewis out for the season with a knee injury, the 49ers signed quarterback Christian Ponder . . . Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue have been selected by the contributor committee as finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017 . . . Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, 63, was hospitalized after complaining of stomach pain. Cardinals spokesman Mark Dalton said after arriving for the team’s joint practice with the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium, Arians told his medical staff he was not feeling well and had stomach pain. Dalton said later that Arians had undergone tests and would remain hospitalized overnight.

The Miami Dolphins, who have staged home games at Dolphin Stadium, Joe Robbie Stadium, Pro Player Park, Pro Player Stadium, Land Shark Stadium, and Sun Life Stadium, will now call their home Hard Rock Stadium in a naming-right agreement recently signed as the team neared completion of the 29-year-old stadium’s $500 million renovation.

Baseball

Tigers pick up Aybar; Sawnson gets call The Atlanta Braves traded shortstop Erick Aybar to the Detroit Tigers for infielder Mike Aviles and minor league catcher Kade Scivicque. Aybar gives the Tigers experience at shortstop as Jose Iglesias recovers from a hamstring injury. it also clears a path for Atlanta to call up top prospect Dansby Swanson, the No. 1 overall draft pick of 2015, who will be in the lineup at shortstop Wednesday against Minnesota in his major league debut . . . Nathan Eovaldi might never throw another pitch for the New York Yankees, and his entire baseball future is suddenly uncertain. The righthander revealed he will miss the remainder of this season and all of next year because of two tears in his elbow that require serious surgery. Eovaldi was removed from his start Wednesday night at Fenway Park after one inning with right elbow discomfort. Eovaldi said he has a torn flexor tendon and a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. The torn UCL will necessitate a second Tommy John surgery for the 26-year-old, who had the procedure nine years ago when he was a high school junior . . . Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday will have surgery Wednesday on his right thumb, an injury that could sideline him for the rest of the regular season. Holliday, 36, a seven-time All-Star, is batting .242 this season with 19 home runs and 60 RBIs . . .Rangers leadoff hitter Shin-Soo Choo will have season-ending surgery to insert a plate near the break in his left wrist and forearm and go on the disabled list after being by a pitch from lefthander Ross Detwiler in Monday’s 5-2 victory over Oakland. Choo went on the disabled list for the fourth time this season Tuesday . . . Indians outfielder Michael Brantley is expected to make a full recovery in four months after having surgery on his right shoulder . . . The Giants and 41-year-old righthander Joe Nathan agreed to a minor league contract. Nathan is attempting to extend his major league career after his second Tommy John surgery in 2015. Nathan, who spent the first four seasons with the Giants, has pitched only two innings this season and was released by the Cubs.

Miscellany

Missouri RB Walters dismissed for theftMissouri running back Trevon Walters was dismissed from the team after he was arrested Friday in Columbia on suspicion of stealing and fraudulently using a credit or debit card. Coach Barry Odom announced the dismissal Monday, saying the 21-year-old redshirt sophomore had violated team rules . . . Michigan defensive end Shelton Johnson, who signed with the Wolverines in 2015 but did not play in any games last season, and wide receiver Ahmir Mitchell, who was part of this year’s signing class, have been suspended, according to coach Jim Harbaugh . . . Former Butler basketball player Joel Cornette, 35, who played an instrumental role in the Bulldogs’ 2003 NCAA Tournament run to the Sweet 16 under coach Brad Stevens, now with the Celtics, was found dead in a Chicago apartment, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. The school released a statement saying, the Cornette family “has confirmed that their beloved son and brother, Joel, passed away early this morning,’’ further stating they believe he died of natural causes.

. . . The Ottawa Senators will retire Daniel Alfredsson’s No. 11 Dec. 29 when they host the Detroit Red Wings.

. . . Clemson starting defensive end Austin Bryant is expected to miss at least three games after having surgery to repair a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot, suffered in practice Monday. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney hoped to have the 6-foot-4, 265-pound sophomore back to face Georgia Tech on Sept. 22