It's been a whirlwind week for outside linebacker IK Enemkpali, and it ended with a promotion to the Buffalo Bills' primary roster.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday that Enemkpali was signed to the 53-man roster to keep another team from stealing him off their practice squad while suspended, according to a source informed of the Bills' plans. If he was on the practice squad, someone could sign him away, and because he's suspended, he wouldn't count against that team's roster count.
Enemkpali was officially suspended four games by the NFL on Friday for violating the league's personal conduct policy, a source informed of the situation told Rapoport. The suspension stemmed from Enemkpali breaking former Jets teammate Geno Smith's jaw when he punched the quarterback during a locker room incident last month. Rapoport noted that Enemkpali could have been suspended for six games and decided not to appeal once it was reduced to four.
"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 four games which will commence immediately," Enemkpali's representative, Jeff Guerriero, said in a statement.
"We have discussed all of IK's options with him and he has decided not to appeal the four-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."
Enemkpali was among Buffalo's final roster cuts a week ago but was signed to the Bills' practice squad just a few days later. He joined the Bills after he was cut by the Jets.
