PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Rex Ryan won’t excuse linebacker Ikemefuna Enemkpali for a sucker punch that broke quarterback Geno Smith’s jaw in the New York Jets’ locker room Tuesday.

That doesn’t mean Ryan, the former Jets coach who’s now coaching Buffalo, isn’t willing to provide Enemkpali a second chance with the Bills.

With new owner Terry Pegula’s blessing, the Bills claimed Enemkpali off waivers a day after he punched Smith and was released by the Jets.

“I think it’s clear it was a mistake. Nothing justifies hitting somebody and all that stuff. And I’m not trying to say that it wasn’t a mistake,” Ryan said. “But I also believe that he’s going to learn from this. And we’ll give him a chance to compete.”

VIKINGS: Coach Mike Zimmer was at training camp while mourning his father, Bill, who died Tuesday night at age 84.

“It’s been rough,” Zimmer said, his voice catching and tears swelling in his eyes. “My dad was a heck of a mentor. I got some letters from some people saying what an influence he had on a lot of people’s lives. He had been sick but we didn’t expect it.”

• Minnesota reached agreement on a three-year contract extension with Minnesota State University for its training camp site.

49ERS: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick shot down rumors that he and the recently released Aldon Smith had a confrontation last week.

Kaepernick called the rumor “embarrassing” and pointed out disparities. He said Smith was a good friend who attended a golf tournament and a football camp he hosted.

PRINCE SHEMBO, a former Atlanta linebacker, agreed to a misdemeanor plea of cruelty to an animal. Shembo was arrested May 29 for killing his girlfriend’s dog.

CARDINALS: Quarterback Carson Palmer will take a snap in an NFL game for the first time since tearing his ACL, but will play only one series in Saturday night’s game against Kansas City.

Also, the team’s top two running backs remain sidelined with hamstring injuries: presumed starter Andre Ellington and rookie David Johnson.

PANTHERS: Cornerback Josh Norman said he has nothing but “mad respect” for quarterback Cam Newton and there are no hard feelings following a training-camp scuffle earlier this week.

WASHINGTON: The team expects to play its starters for about one quarter in the preseason opener Thursday night against Cleveland.

Depending on how the offense fares those plans could change, Coach Jay Gruden said. But Gruden’s primary goal is finding out who among the backups and rookies warrants a spot on the final roster.

RAMS: Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said he’s confident in St. Louis as an NFL city, even if the team owner, Stan Kroenke, succeeds in moving his franchise back to Los Angeles.

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