Buffalo Bills linebacker IK Enemkpali was named a co-captain for Thursday night’s game against the New York Jets by head coach Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills travel to MetLife Stadium to play the New York Jets for the first time this season on Thursday Night Football. This is Ryan’s first game as head coach of the Bills against Gang Green since he was fired after the end of last season.
We all know Rex is a character, but he is bringing a special gift with him. On Monday, Ryan confirmed that former Jets linebacker IK Enemkpali will be named a co-captain for the Bills on Thursday night:
Remember Enemkpali? If you don’t and need your memory freshened up, he was the player that sucker-punched and broke Jets starting quarterback Geno Smith’s jaw during the preseason in an altercation over money that Smith had not yet paid his teammate. Just two days after the linebacker was cut, he was claimed… by Rex Ryan’s Buffalo Bills, who decided to give the second-year player out of Louisiana Tech one more shot.
Enemkpali hasn’t played much this season. He’s played in just three games this year and recorded two tackles. Then again, neither has Smith. Since the incident, Smith has lost his starting job to Ryan Fitzpatrick and only seen the field once this season — a relief effort in Week 8’s 34-20 loss to the Oakland Raiders where he finished 27/42 for 265 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
Led by starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor, the Bills sit at 4-4 — with the Raiders — and with their second win of the season against the Miami Dolphins in Week 9, have crept back into the AFC Playoff Picture. The winner of this game will most likely enter the second half of the season in front of the other for a valuable Wild Card position.
So playing Bills’ team captain IK Enemkpali should be more than enough motivation for Gang Green…