ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills defensive end IK Enemkpali is eligible to return Monday from his four-game NFL-imposed suspension.
As is typical with most players returning from suspension, the Bills probably will be granted a roster exemption allowing Enemkpali to practice -- but not play -- for several days before the team has to clear a spot on its 53-man roster.
The Bills re-signed Enemkpali to their practice squad after he was waived during final cuts, but added him to their 53-man roster for the duration of his suspension.
Buffalo could decide to keep Enemkpali on the 53-man roster instead of releasing him and attempting to re-sign him to their practice squad.
"We have one young man that’s suspended right now, IK, so we’ll see how ... could he fit in that mix a little bit when he comes back? That’s a possibility," coach Rex Ryan said last week.
The Bills have leaned heavily on defensive ends Mario Williams and Jerry Hughes, with each playing roughly 90 percent of defensive snaps through the first month of the season. Alex Carrington, the Bills' only other defensive end on their 53-man roster, has been a healthy scratch for the past two games.
The NFL suspended Enemkpali last month following an August incident in the New York Jets' locker room when Enemkpali punched quarterback Geno Smith, breaking his jaw.