A.J.

Epenesa

Epenesa nearly signed with the Browns in late-March, but the team chose not to sign him after examining the results of his physical. Epenesa spent the first six seasons of his career with the Bills in chilly Buffalo. Signing with the Dolphins would keep him in the AFC East, but with a much more enjoyable climate. Epenesa totaled 28 quarterback pressures and three sacks last year.

The Browns were set to finalize a one-year, $5 million contract with Epenesa, pending a physical. Evidently, that deal will not go through. Epenesa played through a “minor” pec injury suffered in late September, missed one game with a concussion, played through a foot injury in early December and a neck injury in the Divisional Round. Hopefully, he can rehab whatever is currently ailing him. Epenesa, 27, notched 28 quarterback pressures and three sacks last year.

Epenesa is a former second-round pick of the Bills, spending six seasons in Buffalo. He tallied 24 sacks over that time and intercepted two passes last season. The Browns bring in Epenesa to be depth on the edge, giving him a contract worth up to $5 million for the 2026 season.

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.