IK Enemkpali once punched a ‘man he thought was a woman’: Report

Two weeks after Ikemefuna Enemkpali was released by the New York Jets for punching out  his then-quarterback Geno Smith in a locker room incident, the outside linebacker's fists are in the news again — this time because of a catfishing incident first reported by ESPN.

According to an "Outside the Lines" report, Enemkpali missed Louisiana Tech's season opener in 2011 because he had injured his hand after punching "a man he thought was a woman with whom he had arranged to have sex."

ESPN cited an obtained copy of a police report which said Enemkpali began exchanging Facebook messages with a "Missy Lee" on Sept. 1, 2011. But after meeting "Missy Lee" in person, he realized the individual — who had been "covered head-to-toe in a blanket" — also had "facial hair."

According to ESPN, the police report states that Enemkpali "felt that he was being 'set up' for a robbery of some type. Enemkpali stated that fearing for his safety, he then struck the subject in the blanket. Enemkpali stated that after he struck this person, their voice changed to that of a male. Enemkpali stated that he then left the residence through the window."

He also reportedly told police that he began receiving texts in which "Missy Lee" accused him of "punching her and knocking out her teeth" and also threatened "U are going to jail." Enemkpali reportedly offered $500, but "'Missy Lee' demanded $1,000 or the police would be called."

Police later traced the phone number to a man named Ketryn Anderson, who, according to his Facebook page, is a "senior pastor and founder of Life Community Church" in Shreveport, Louisiana,  according to ESPN.

Enemkpali off-the-field issues kept NFL teams away during the 2014 draft process and, before the start of the 2011 season, he reportedly was suspended after he hit an off-duty officer. He was charged with disturbing the peace and battery of a police officer, but was reinstated by the team and played in the 2011 season.

The Jets still decided to take a gamble and former Jets general manager John Idzik drafted the Louisiana Tech product in the sixth round.

After Smith suffered a broken jaw in the altercation with Enemkpali,  the 24-year-old linebacker was claimed off waivers by former Jets coach Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Wednesday that "the matter remains under review."

Geno Smith won’t be on sideline for Jets home game against Falcons: Report

Geno Smith was at the Jets' facility Wednesday morning for meetings, but he was not at practice and he will not be on the sideline Friday night when the Jets host the Falcons in a preseason game.

"If he's healthy, he'll be on the sideline," head coach Todd Bowles said of Smith, the Jets quarterback who's out with a broken jaw sustained last week after being punched by then-teammate IK Enemkpali.

"All the injured players won't be on the sideline," Bowles said. "That's just policy. We've got too many guys right now. We've already got 90 guys in camp. Everybody's in the way. If you're a gunner on the punt team and you get pushed into the sideline, if somebody can't get out of the way, they're going to get hurt."

Odd because Muhammad Wilkerson was on the sideline while nursing a hamstring for last week's away game against the Lions. But Bowles said that was because Wilkerson had made the trip to Detroit and was a game-time decision. 

"He will be not be on the sideline this week," Bowles said of Wilkerson's status for this week's home game.

Smith is expected to be out another five to nine weeks. He's had plates and screws inserted into his jaw to stabilize it. The Jets will have to hold a roster spot for him once the regular season begins, but they did add Matt Flynn to be Smith's replacement behind Ryan Fitzpatrick, who's now the starter.

Bowles said Smith's presence at the facility on a full-time basis going forward will depend on Smith's health.

"As he gets better, the longer he can stay out, the more he'll be here," Bowles said.

It's not MetLife Stadium but ... there's always that parking lot to chuck the ball around on.

First look at swollen-faced Geno Smith after sucker-punch surgery (PHOTOS)

Jets quarterback Geno Smith is already out-and-about following surgery on his jaw after getting sucker-punched by ex-teammate  IK Enemkpali last week.

His cheeks swollen, Smith was spotted at his apartment complex in Whippany N.J. where New York Post photographers found him playing catch outside with a "buddy."

The Post managed to snap off a couple of photos of Smith's puffed face, and to get a couple of quotes from him:

"I feel great. You see me throwin', right?" he said, his speech slightly slurred by the swelling.

Smith was shirtless and strangely wearing eye-black tape during the casual toss and had a message to Jets fans regarding his six to 10-week layoff: "Get ready for me to come back." 

But head coach Todd Bowles may have wished they did wire Smith's jaw shut. Bowles said Smith's job as the Jets' starting quarterback will not be guaranteed upon his return. 

Or will his teammates' respect.

After Enemkpali, a sixth-round draft pick last year punched out Smith, he was immediately released and later signed by the Bills. And while keeping virtually silent about their signal caller, Jets players have reportedly been phoning linebacker Enemkpali with support.