Report: NFL to suspend Buffalo’s Ikemefuna Enemkpali four games

A person familiar with the decision has told the Associated Press that the NFL will suspend Buffalo Bills linebacker Ikemefuna Enemkpali for the first four games of the season for punching and breaking the jaw of New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Thursday because the NFL isn’t expected to announce the suspension until Friday.

Enemkpali will be suspended without pay for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after the altercation that took place inside the Jets locker room on Aug. 11.

Enemkpali was immediately released and claimed by the Bills a day later. He appeared in three Bills preseason games before being cut on Sept. 4. Buffalo then signed the second-year player to its practice squad Monday.

Smith is expected to be sidelined for at least the first four games of the season recovering from the injury. He has no plans to file charges against Enemkpali.

Dareus becomes highest-paid Bills player

Marcell Dareus has become the Buffalo Bills’ top-paid player after signing a six-year contract extension worth just over $100 million.

The Bills announced the signing Thursday. A person familiar with negotiations revealed the length and value of the contract to the Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team did not disclose those figures.

The agreement was reached before Buffalo’s season opener against Indianapolis on Sunday. Dareus will be out of the game while serving a one-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

Dareus is a two-time Pro Bowl and one-time All Pro selection. He has one year left on his rookie contract signed in 2011 when he was drafted third overall.

Dareus’ extension surpasses the six-year, $100-million contract Bills defensive end Mario Williams signed in 2012.

Kuechly is top-paid middle linebacker

The Carolina Panthers have signed middle linebacker Luke Kuechly to a five-year contract extension.

The deal is worth $62 million, making him the highest-paid middle linebacker in NFL history, a person familiar with the situation said. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because financial terms weren’t released.

Kuechly’s $12.4-million annual salary tops the previous high established by Seattle’s Bobby Wagner, who received a four-year extension worth $10.75 million a year in August.

Kuechly has an NFL-best 473 tackles since coming into the league as a first-round draft pick in 2012. He’s one of only three players to win NFL defensive player of the year award within his first two years, earning that honor in 2013.

Carolina opens the season Sunday at Jacksonville.

Etc.

Cleveland waived former quarterback turned wide receiver Terrelle Pryor Thursday — three days before the Browns open the season against the New York Jets. … Indianapolis left tackle Anthony Castonzo agreed Thursday to a four-year contract extension worth $43.6 million, a person with knowledge of the details told the Associated Press. … The Minnesota Vikings have signed wide receiver Jarius Wright to a four-year contract extension. … The San Diego Chargers have re-signed tight end John Phillips as a precaution after Ladarius Green was diagnosed with a concussion. … Arizona tight end Ifeanyi Momah was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, and the Cardinals signed veteran tight end Joseph Fauria. … The Minnesota Vikings have placed center John Sullivan on injured reserve with a designation to return, because of a bad back.