A.J.

Epenesa

Terrel Bernard (elbow) joined him on the sideline. Bernard hasn’t practiced for some time. For Epenesa, it appears he was injured in practice on Wednesday, as this was a new placement on the report. We’ll probably get more from Sean McDermott on Friday — yes, him saying “a player is hurt” might be “more” in this case — but Epenesa should be regarded as questionable now.

Cornerbacks Taron Johnson (groin) and Christian Benford (groin) will also be questionable after being limited in back-to-back practices to close out the week. Jones was also limited on Thursday and Friday after being a DNP on Wednesday, and appears to have a chance to play after missing last week’s game. With DE A.J. Epenesa (concussion) and LB Shaq Thompson (hamstring) already ruled out for Sunday’s game, the Bills will hopefully get some good news on Jones and Johnson when inactives are announced before kickoff.

A 26-year-old situational pass rusher, Epenesa has 13 total sacks over the past two seasons. That’s a strong haul for someone who played fewer than 800 total snaps in the process. Epenesa should remain a role player in 2024, but he’s a nice piece of “stability” depth for a defense going through salary cap trials.

The former second-round pick has had a breakout year for Buffalo in 2023, already tying his career-high with 6.5 sacks, while totaling 19 tackles,10 quarterback hits, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. He was injured with intercepting Patrick Mahomes in the Bills’ Week 14 win and head coach Sean McDermott said he “isn’t likely to play against the Chargers.” The Bills use a heavy defensive line rotation, so a few players will see more snaps to make up for Epenesa’s absence.

Epenesa was injured after making a crucial interception on the first drive of Sunday’s game against the Chiefs after tipping the ball to himself. The former second-round pick in enjoying a career-year in 2023. He’s already tied his career-high with 6.5 sacks, while totaling 19 tackles,10 quarterback hits, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. With the Bills already suffering countless injuries on defense this season, being without Epenesa would be a big loss against the Cowboys.

Epenesa made the biggest play of the early going, tipping a Patrick Mahomes pass at the of scrimmage on the first drive and then intercepting it himself. However, it appears as though he was injured on the play since he is now questionable to return. With the Chiefs missing their starter left tackle, Donovan Smith, the Bills need their defensive line to put pressure on Mahomes to win this game. Losing Epenesa is a big blow.

A former five-star recruit who earned first-team All-Big Ten honors as a true junior, Epenesa (6’5/275) lacks an explosive first step on tape but buoyed his physicality and heavy hands into high-end production at the collegiate level, finishing his career as the first Hawkeye with back-to-back seasons of double-digit sacks since Matt Roth (2003-04). As The Athletic’s Dane Brugler notes, Epenesa actually averaged less than 50 percent of Iowa’s snaps in his first two years before becoming a full-time starter (90.1%) in 2019. Unfortunately, his sluggish 18th-percentile Adjusted SPARQ athleticism coupled with an unimpressive 40 (5.04) and median 32.5-inch vertical (63rd-percentile) means his team fit will be crucial in ensuring his impact as an EDGE rusher to begin his career. Don’t be surprised if he’s kicked inside if struggling out the gates. Even so, his upside remains that of a double-digit sack artist and Pro-Bowler.

The Steelers traded their first-round pick to the Dolphins to acquire Minkah Fitzpatrick last fall, so this would be the Steelers first selection of the draft. Epenesa was considered by many to be a first-round lock coming into the year, but concerns about his athleticism and motor have seen his stock tumble a bit. With his size (6'6/280) and flashes of brilliance, however, this could be a steal for the Steelers this “late” in the draft.

All the physical tools for Epenesa (6'6/280) to dominate his opponent are apparent, but according to one scout, those tools run hot and cold. “His motor, toughness and competes are all over the place. Every time I watched him I wanted more,” this scout told McGinn. Typically an up-and-down motor is not part of the scouting report for an Iowa prospect, yet here we are. A different scout also told McGinn that Epenesa is more of a throwback 6-technique defensive linemen rather than a quicker hybrid guy like many pass-rushers are today. Still, Epenesa ranked third among EDGE defenders in McGinn’s poll of NFL scouts and executives.

Epenesa was one of the highest-recruited commits to the Hawkeyes back in 2017; ranking 30th overall and getting a five-star designation from Rivals. Collins isn’t a five-star player, but he was considered one of the top defensive ends, and Farrell and Gorney acknowledge they have similar skill sets. “Epenesa was a powerful end coming out of high school who could beat you inside or outside and had great balance,” writes Farrell. “Collins could have a similar career at Texas.” The Longhorns probably wouldn’t complain.