A.J. EPENESA NEWS

After a difficult rookie season, Bills DE A.J. Epenesa looks poised for a breakout A.J. Epenesa worked hard in the offseason to get his body right, and now in Bills training camp he looks ready to emerge as a force.

AUGUST 3, 2021 • DEMOCRATANDCHRONICLE.COM

Bills retooled defense making big impression already in camp

It hasn't taken long for the Buffalo Bills' retooled defense to make a big impression during the first week of training camp

JULY 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Buffalo Bills: AJ Epenesa should be primed for 2021 breakout It's safe to say the 2020 season was probably a bit overwhelming for Buffalo Bills' second-round pick AJ Epenesa. A former five-star prospec...

JUNE 22, 2021 • NFLMOCKS.COM

Observations: Rare spring scuffle breaks out at Bills practice Tempers flared between second-year defensive end A.J. Epenesa and guard Jon Feliciano.

JUNE 8, 2021 • BUFFALONEWS.COM

Body ready for Year 2 Epenesa, who struggled to transform his body for the pro game in his rookie season, heads into 2021 in better shape, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports. "He's more exp...

Impact Epenesa had to essentially switch positions relative to how he was used to at Iowa, as the Bills run a much different defense. He had problems all season getting his weight right and struggled with just 14 total tackles and one sack in 14 regular-season games. The 2020 second-rounder seems poised to have a bigger role in 2021, though Buffalo tends to run waves of defensive linemen so he's not quite near the IDP radar yet. Still, with young players like Epenesa and Ed Oliver, top picks Gregory Rousseau and Carlos Basham, and veterans like Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison, the Bills could feature a strong defensive line all season.

JUNE 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bills double up on DEs with Basham; Take OT Brown at 93

The Buffalo Bills selected Wake Forest edge rusher Carlos Basham with the 61st pick in the NFL draft

MAY 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bills upgrade pass rush by drafting Miami's Rousseau 30th

The Buffalo Bills took Miami edge rusher Greg Rousseau with the 30th overall pick in the NFL draft

APRIL 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

A.J. Epenesa has earned prominent role in unusual rookie season Epenesa led all Bills defensive linemen in snaps vs. the New England Patriots.

JANUARY 1, 2021 • SYRACUSE.COM

Ready for Week 15 Epenesa (head) practiced fully again Saturday and does not have an injury designation for Monday's game at New England.

Impact This is no surprise for the Iowa rookie, who avoided a concussion following a hit last Saturday against the Broncos. He'll resume his depth role on the defensive line against the Patriots.

DECEMBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

None the worse for wear Epenesa, who exited the Week 15 win over the Broncos with. a head injury, was listed as a full participant on Thursday's practice report.

Impact The rookie from Iowa avoided a concussion, so he appears ready to serve his usual depth role when the Bills take on the Patriots on Monday night. Epenesa has posted a modest 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks in his first campaign as he continues to get up to speed in the pro game.

DECEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Exits with head injury Epenesa left Saturday's win over the Broncos to be evaluated for a head injury.

Impact The rookie second-round pick didn't record a tackle before leaving the contest. Epenesa will need to clear the five-step concussion protocol if one is confirmed.

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers defense depleted in preparing to play at Bills

The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense is depleted in preparing to face the Buffalo Bills

DECEMBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Milano active for Bills vs. 49ers after coming off IR

Buffalo linebacker Matt Milano is active for the Bills against the San Francisco 49ers after being removed from injured reserve

DECEMBER 8, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bills have had their share of hair-raising 2nd-half moments

The Buffalo Bills haven't made it easy on themselves when it comes to closing out victories despite their AFC East-leading 8-3 record this season

DECEMBER 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Back to practice Epenesa, who had to leave the team's Week 9 contest against the Cardinals with a concussion, was able to practice fully Wednesday.

Impact Not that concussions can ever come at the right time, but the rookie from Iowa did get the advantage of the bye to work his way through the protocol and will likely not miss any game action. Epenesa continues to work as a rotational piece as he gets acclimated to the NFL, as he hasn't seen more than 35 percent of the defensive snaps in any game this season.

NOVEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Iowa defensive line causing trouble for Big Ten quarterbacks

An Iowa defensive line that had to replace three starters has turned out to be one of the Big Ten's top performing units

NOVEMBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sustains concussion Sunday Epenesa was ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game versus the Cardinals after suffering a concussion.

Impact Epenesa has entered the league's five-step concussion protocol. The Bills are on bye next week, so the rookie second-round pick has 14 days to get cleared for a Week 12 matchup against the Chargers.

NOVEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sustains injury Sunday Epenesa is being evaluated for a head injury during Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Impact The team is likely checking Epenesa for a concussion, and if that diagnosis is confirmed, the rookie second-rounder will be done for the day. Epenesa recorded one solo tackle before departing.

NOVEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Broncos clear RB Lindsay in return from concussion

Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay has cleared concussion protocol and will play against the Los Angeles Chargers

NOVEMBER 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Iowa breaks in new QB while riding momentum from 2019 finish

Iowa is on its best five-year run in program history and Spencer Petras is expected to replace three-year starter Nate Stanley

OCTOBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Trent Murphy shows his worth in Bills season-opening win

Buffalo Bills defensive end Trent Murphy wasn't too bothered by the speculation he might be cut before the start of the season because his production didn't match his high-priced c...

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brady has Evans active vs. Saints despite hurt hamstring

Tom Brady might have top target Mike Evans to throw to in his debut for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Buffalo debut will wait Epenesa has been made a game-day inactive for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Impact This is a bit of a shocker considering the rookie out of Iowa was a second-rounder in April and was the team's top pick. But hey, this was a strange offseason and players received no preseason game experience, so the Bills will start the season with a more veteran look at defensive end, an area where they have plenty of depth.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

A.J. Epenesa, Vernon Butler headline inactive list Two rookies listed on the Bills inactive list.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 • BUFFALOBILLS.COM

Allen's development remains question mark for Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills enter the season with continuity and experienced depth, leaving one familiar question mark at quarterback holding them back

AUGUST 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS