You can also club/maul Njerpez’ arms; they drop weapons, you pick the weapons, then beat their legs, so they can’t run off. And then just dodge their punches.
I’ve not dodge trained with Njerpez in 3.71, last was 3.63 when they were solo acts.
Yes, it’s riskier than elk, but even then, bull elk might gore your eye. But there’s less work after the sparring session is over (no skinning or butchering, just pick up goods and carry on)… unless you let the critter go after.