The Sports Xchange

Outside linebacker IK Enemkpali was released by the Buffalo Bills, who signed the second-year pass rusher one day after he was cut by the New York Jets for punching starting quarterback Geno Smith.

The Bills released 16 players Friday, including quarterback Matt Simms, and placed cornerback CB Leodis McKelvin on the reserve/non-football injury list and designated wide receiver Deonte Thompson waived-injured.

Enemkpali, a sixth-round pick last season, reunited with Bills coach Rex Ryan after the locker room dust-up with Smith over $600, allegedly wanted by Enemkpali as repayment for a football camp the quarterback skipped.

First-year Jets coach Todd Bowles criticized both men, saying “sixth graders” could have settled the dispute without a physical altercation.

Ryan endorsed Enemkpali as a good teammate and good person announcing the move.

Other Bills released Friday were offensive linemen William Campbell, Darryl Johnson and Alex Kupper, fullback John Conner, wide receiver Andre Davis, Dezmin Lewis and Tobais Palmer, defensive tackle Andre Fluellen, linebacker Quentin Groves, running backs Bronson Hill and Cierre Wood, defensive end B.J. Larsen, cornerback Merrill Noel and former fifth-round guard Cyril Richardson.

Simms was the fourth quarterback behind starter Tyrod Taylor, Matt Cassel and EJ Manuel throughout the preseason.

McKelvin’s new designation — he had been on active/physically unable to perform list — means that he no longer counts toward a roster spot. The earliest he could return to the active roster would be the Tuesday after Week 6 (Oct. 13). The veteran cornerback suffered a setback this summer in his rehabilitation from ankle surgery after breaking it in a Week 11 game last season at Miami. He spent most of training camp with his ankle in a cast.

The 16 releases along with McKelvin and Thompson designations put Buffalo’s roster at 57 players. The team will need four more cuts to reach the 53-man roster by 4 p.m. ET Saturday.