Level converter usage when Vccb not present
That EN pin connection is needed due to the internal structure of the device (see figure 1 of the LSF application report).

You could use a mux or analog switch to connect these pins to either ground or the cable. At the input of that switch, you would be able to use a pulldown resistor.

Alternatively, consider another device where the OE pin is referenced to VCCA, like the TXS0108E, or, if you do not have any open-collector signals, TXB0108.