FRIDAY, 5:44 pm: The league could have suspended Enemkpali for six games, but it was reduced to four and Enemkpali then opted against an appeal, Rapoport tweeted. Enemkpali’s reps issued a statement Friday (Twitter link comes courtesy of Fox Sports’ Mike Garafolo):
“Upon learning of the NFL’s originally proposed suspension, we contacted them and requested a conference. As a result of the conference, the suspension was reduced to 4 games which will commence immediately. We have discussed all of IK’s options with him and he has decided not to appeal the 4 game suspension. IK wants to put this matter behind him as quickly as possible and focus on playing football. He is very appreciative of the confidence that the Bills and Coach Ryan have shown him and does not want this matter to be a further distraction for him or his teammates. He just signed to the Bills 53 man roster and can’t wait to become a productive member of the team.”
THURSDAY, 5:53pm: Enemkpali will be suspended for the first four games of the season, according to The Associated Press.
THURSDAY, 10:50am: The NFL is leaning toward suspending outside linebacker IK Enemkpali for at least four games, and up to six games, for breaking Geno Smith’s jaw in the locker room when he was with the Jets, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). According to Rapoport, Enemkpali is appealing the suspension, which will be for a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy.
After being cut by the Jets and claimed off waivers by the Bills, Enemkpali was cut by Buffalo during the team’s reduction to 53 players. However, he landed back on the Bills’ practice squad, and continues to practice with the team this week while his suspension is under appeal.
Enemkpali only saw the field sparingly in his rookie season, playing 40 defensive snaps and contributing a little on special teams as well. Rex Ryan, heading into his first season as the head coach in Buffalo, held the same position in New York a year ago when the Jets used a sixth-round pick to draft Enemkpali out of Louisiana Tech. Ryan cited Enemkapli’s character and took responsibility for the roster move when he and the Bills claimed the 24-year-old off waivers.