That's So Rex: Ryan Names IK Enemkpali A Captain Ahead Of Bills-Jets Game
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The plot has thickened.
Thursday night's highly-anticipated Bills-Jets matchup at MetLife Stadium just got even juicier.
When the AFC East rivals take the field, Bills head coach Rex Ryan will face the Jets for the first time since being fired by the organization in December of 2014.
And one of his captains will be defensive end IK Enemkpali.
#Bills HC Rex Ryan confirms IK Enemkpali will be one of the captains on Thursday night
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) November 9, 2015
Enemkpali, of course, is the former Jet who got into an altercation with quarterback Geno Smith in August. Smith allegedly owed Enemkpali money, and the latter punched the former in the face. Smith -- who was expected to begin the season as the Jets' quarterback -- had his jaw fractured, and New York released Enemkpali that day.
Rex Ryan on if IK Enemkpali will be a captain: "Yeah. I'll get ripped, whatever. I do this all the time."
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) November 9, 2015
Rex when told word IK Enemkpali will be co-captain for #Bills-#Jets game is causing Twitter stir: "Maybe we should let him go out alone."
— Vic Carucci (@viccarucci) November 9, 2015
Just one day after the ugly incident, Ryan's Bills claimed Enemkpali after he was waived. The Bills released him on September 4 but signed him to the practice squad days later.
On September 10, the NFL suspended Enemkpali for four games. The next day he was promoted to Buffalo's 53-man roster.
This Rex stuff isn't surprising. He can't help himself. We saw it first hand for 6 years. #NYJ
— Chris Lopresti (@CLoprestiWFAN) November 9, 2015
Enemkpali has appeared in three games for the Bills and has two combined tackles.
After Smith got hurt, Ryan Fitzpatrick was given the starting quarterback job, and he ran with it. The 25-year-old is now firmly a backup. On Nov. 1 against Oakland, after Fitzpatrick left the game with an injury, Smith came in and completed 27 of 42 passes for 265 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
Smith hasn't seen any action in any of New York's other seven games.
The Jets (5-3) are in second place in the AFC East, a game ahead of the Bills (4-4).