After a stellar performance in a Week 2 win over the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook will take on one of the NFL's lowest-ranked run defenses on Thursday. Cook will match up against the division-rival Miami Dolphins, who have surrendered the eighth-most rushing yards per game (139.0) and the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs through two weeks. New England Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson had his way with the Dolphins last Sunday, as he piled up 142 total yards (54 rushing, 88 receiving) on 16 touches. Cook ranks fourth in the league in rushing yards (176) and has already found the end zone three times on the ground through two games. While Cook may have trouble matching last week's production (21 carries, 132 yards, two TDs), especially if he gets a lighter workload on a short week, he profiles as an RB1 going into Thursday.
Sep 17, 2025 1:33 PM EST
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook rushed 21 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's Week 2 win over the New York Jets. He also converted his lone target into a three-yard reception. Cook has picked up right where he left off last year, racking up yardage and scoring touchdowns within a high-powered Buffalo offense. He now has 237 yards and three touchdowns through just two games. The recently paid running back shows no signs of slowing down, either, as he motors on toward a very favorable matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 3. He has firmly established himself as a low-end RB1 once again.
Sep 14, 2025 7:27 PM EST
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (hamstring) practiced in full on Friday and will not carry an injury designation into his team's Week 2 matchup against the New York Jets. Cook was limited in practice on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, but he was able to log consecutive full practices to end the week. The 25-year-old recorded 102 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 18 touches in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens. Cook profiles as a high-end fantasy RB2 in Week 2.
Sep 12, 2025 3:13 PM EST
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (hamstring) opened the season with a productive showing in a 41-40 win against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. Facing a defense that ranked first against the run last year, Cook only totaled 13 carries for 44 yards. However, he scored a rushing touchdown and chipped in five receptions for 58 yards. Cook figures to log more carries this week, largely because the Bills shouldn't spend the majority of the game trying to overcome a significant deficit. They were down multiple scores for most of the night against the Ravens, leading to a pass-happy approach that yielded an improbable comeback victory. While Cook did deal with a hamstring issue earlier this week, it shouldn't hamper his availability against the New York Jets on Sunday. The Jets stuffed the run in a Week 1 loss to Pittsburgh, allowing a meager 53 yards on 20 carries, but Cook is vastly superior to the Steelers' backs. He'll enter Week 2 as a solid RB2 option for fantasy managers.
Sep 12, 2025 11:39 AM EST
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is fully healthy heading into Week 2 after logging a full practice Thursday and being removed from the injury report. Cook was heavily involved in the Bills' offense during their season opener against Baltimore, racking up 44 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground while adding five catches for 58 yards through the air. His dual-threat ability makes him a valuable piece in both real-life and fantasy football, as Josh Allen and the Bills continue to rely on his versatility. With a pivotal divisional matchup against the New York Jets on deck, Cook's role should once again feature high usage, giving him strong appeal as a locked-in RB2 with upside in PPR formats.
Sep 11, 2025 2:08 PM EST
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (hamstring) was limited at practice on Wednesday because of a hamstring injury. There's no indication that Cook is dealing with a serious issue, but it's something to keep an eye on leading up to Sunday's game against the New York Jets. Cook played 56.5% of offensive snaps in the Bills' Week 1 win over the Baltimore Ravens and accounted for 102 total yards on 18 touches. The 25-year-old rushed for just 44 yards on 13 attempts, but he found the end zone on the ground (something he did a league-high 16 times in 2024) and got involved in the passing game. Cook caught all five of his targets for 58 yards, including a 51-yarder. If he's not at 100% against the Jets, it could lead to more opportunities for backups Ray Davis and Ty Johnson. Neither Davis nor Johnson made much of an impact in the opener.
Sep 10, 2025 4:18 PM EST
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is coming off a 2024 campaign in which he unexpectedly tied for the NFL lead with 16 rushing touchdowns after tallying just two in the previous season. He also surpassed 1,000 yards on the ground for the second year in a row, but fantasy managers may have to temper expectations in Week 1. Cook is set to battle the Baltimore Ravens, who boasted the league's top-ranked run defense last season, when the teams kick off Sunday. The Ravens held opposing rushers to a paltry 3.6 yards per carry - a far cry from Cook's 4.9 YPC. Cook faced the Ravens twice in 2024 and combined for 106 yards on 26 carries, four catches for another 24 yards, and zero scores. The explosive 25-year-old enters 2025 as a high-end RB2 in fantasy, but with the Ravens standing in his way, Cook may not storm out of the gates in the opener.
Sep 5, 2025 1:23 PM EST
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is officially back in the fold after signing a four-year contract extension with his team on Wednesday. Soon after the signing was announced, Buffalo GM Brandon Beane told reporters that he views Cook as a three-down back. Beane said, "We do feel he can take more, but we like to use our three options and keep him fresh." Cook often lost passing-down work to Ty Johnson last season and only played on 48% of Buffalo's offensive snaps. It is unlikely that Buffalo installs Cook as their workhorse, as their running game was effective in 2024, but it would be a positive for fantasy managers if the Bills shifted some of the targets in the passing game onto Cook's plate. Either way, he sets up as a solid RB2 in fantasy with an RB1 ceiling if he starts catching more passes.
Aug 13, 2025 9:13 AM EST
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook signed a four-year, $48 million contract extension on Wednesday. Cook had been holding-in throughout training camp but returned to practice on Tuesday as the two sides were apparently getting close to a deal. The contract extension has a $30 million guarantee and will keep Cook in Buffalo as their primary back for the near future. With Cook back in the fold, fantasy managers can confidently draft him as a solid RB2 heading into drafts later this summer. His return bumps Ty Johnson and Ray Davis back to reserve roles, although they should remain involved as Cook played on just 48% of the team's offensive snaps in 2024.
Aug 13, 2025 8:05 AM EST
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is expected to practice on Tuesday, according to head coach Sean McDermott. Cook has been holding in at camp for over a week while calling his absence a "business decision." He dressed for Buffalo's first preseason game against the New York Giants on Saturday but refused to take the field. According to McDermott, the Bills and Cook have been having good conversations, which may have led to Cook's change of heart when it comes to practicing. Assuming Cook continues to participate throughout the remainder of training camp, Cook sets up as a solid RB2 in fantasy drafts later this summer.
Aug 12, 2025 9:21 AM EST
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is "not willing to play" as he continues to seek a contract extension with the Buffalo Bills. Cook is currently participating in a "hold-in" during the team's practices. He did not participate during their opening preseason game on Saturday afternoon. While the 25-year-old was present and participated during the team's early practice sessions in the offseason, this past week, he has opted not to participate as he seeks an extension. Fantasy managers should continue to keep a close eye on his status in case this holdout continues to extend into the final weeks of the preseason. Last season, Cook enjoyed a career year as he found the back of the end zone 18 times, including 16 times on the ground. He also racked up over 1,000 yards on the ground for the second-straight campaign. While Cook continues to remain sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Ray Davis and Ty Johnson to serve as the top options in the backfield.
Aug 9, 2025 5:56 PM EST
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook was seen in full uniform going through pre-game warmups on Saturday before the team's preseason opener versus the New York Giants, according to ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg. Cook started training camp this summer participating with the team, but he recently made the decision to sit out of practices as he continues to negotiate a contract extension with the organization. It's unclear if the 25-year-old will actually take part in the preseason game on Saturday against the Giants, but it could be a sign that both sides are inching closer towards getting something done as he enters the final year of his current deal. Securing an extension would make Cook a more attractive RB2 target in fantasy as he comes off a second straight 1,000-yard rushing season with a league-high 16 touchdowns. Cooks remains Buffalo's RB1, but fantasy managers need to plan for plenty of TD regression.
Aug 9, 2025 1:16 PM EST
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook has continued to miss practice. According to Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN, the running back did not come out during Thursday's session, which marks his fourth-straight missed session. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as Cook continues his "hold in" as he seeks a new contract. While it is a good sign to see Cook in the building, seeing him remain off the field could put his availability for the regular season in doubt. In the meantime, fantasy managers should expect Ray Davis and Ty Johnson to see most of the opportunities out of the backfield. Last season, Cook found the back of the end zone an impressive 16 times while tallying 1,009 yards on the ground. If he is able to settle this dispute, he should be viewed as a high-end RB2 playing a potent Buffalo offense.
Aug 7, 2025 10:49 AM EST
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook will not practice again on Wednesday at training camp as he continues his hold-in, according to head coach Sean McDermott. Cook took part in practices during the spring and began training camp practicing with the rest of the team before changing his tune recently while in the midst of contract-extension talks. The 25-year-old will miss a third straight practice as he heads into the final year of his current deal. The former second-rounder (63rd overall) in 2022 out of Georgia had 1,000 rushing yards for the second straight season in 2024 and also led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns on 207 carries over 16 regular-season starts. Cook will regress in the TD department, but a new extension would go a long way to securing a workhorse role for him again in 2025 while he tries to hold off Ray Davis and Ty Johnson in the backfield.
Aug 6, 2025 12:32 PM EST
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is not practicing for a second-straight day as his hold-in continues. Cook was spotted walking out to practice on Monday morning, but was not in uniform as he continues to angle for a new contract. The veteran running back is entering the final year of his rookie contract and has been pushing for a long-term extension with Buffalo throughout the offseason, although the team has not met his demands as of yet. As of now, Cook's hold in isn't a huge concern for fantasy as he is still likely to be the Bills' starting running back in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens. That said, if his hold-in continues deep into August, conditioning could become a concern. He remains worth a look as a mid-range RB2 in fantasy drafts.
Aug 4, 2025 10:10 AM EST
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook did not practice at training camp on Sunday and when asked why he wasn't present, responded, "Business." When asked if he would return to practice on Monday, Cook said, "business." ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg says that Cook kept repeating "business." There were questions as to whether Cook would hold out during training camp this summer as he seeks a new contract extension, but he showed up and had been practicing with the team until now. The 25-year-old sounds unhappy that he hasn't been able to lock up an extension with the Bills so far in camp, so he may refuse to practice until that happens. The two-time Pro Bowler had 1,009 rushing yards and a league-high 16 touchdowns in his third season in 2024 and is heading into the final year of his deal in 2025. A hold-in will allow both Ray Davis and Ty Johnson more reps in Buffalo's backfield.
Aug 3, 2025 1:52 PM EST
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook has been pushing for a larger role during the first week of training camp. Cook wants to play more on third downs this season after the team mostly turned to Ty Johnson on passing downs in 2024. Thus far in camp, the Bills haven't appeared interested in changing their offense after getting excellent production from their rushing attack last year. Cook will be a free agent after the season, so he likely wants to show that he can be a three-down back as he has an eye on securing a long-term deal for 2026 and beyond. Cook finished as a low-end RB1 in fantasy in 2024, although he benefited from 16 rushing touchdowns. Fantasy managers can continue to draft Cook as a high-end RB2 in upcoming drafts with the possibility for more if the Buffalo coaching staff decides to throw him the ball a bit more frequently.
Jul 30, 2025 8:35 AM EST
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook, who is entering the final year of his current contract in 2025, said he never thought about holding out at training camp and is confident a deal will be reached eventually. "I'm never gonna give up. I deserve what I want. ... It's gonna get done, wherever it happens at," Cook said. The 25-year-old former second-rounder in 2022 out of Georgia easily had the best year of his career in 2024, rushing for 1,009 yards and a league-high 16 touchdowns on 207 carries while also adding 32 receptions for 258 yards and another two scores in 16 regular-season starts. With or without an extension, Cook is Buffalo's clear lead back, but Ray Davis and Ty Johnson aren't going away and will remain involved in an offense that likes to spread the ball around. One thing is for certain, fantasy managers cannot count on double-digit TDs again after Cook rushed for four touchdowns his first two seasons.
Jul 24, 2025 12:31 PM EST
Despite not having a new contract, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook was a full participant in the first training camp practice on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg. Regardless of his contract situation entering the 2025 season, Cook cemented himself as Buffalo's clear lead back last year by rushing for 1,009 yards and a league-leading 16 touchdowns on 207 rushing attempts in 16 regular-season games after scoring just twice on the ground in 2023. While Cook finally saw some more goal-line opportunities, fantasy managers should be expecting major regression in the TD department in 2025. An extension would definitely give the Bills more incentive to keep feeding Cook, who doesn't have the body type to be a physical, between-the-tackles runner. Ray Davis and Ty Johnson will remain involved as well, making Cook more of a high-end RB2 target in fantasy.
Jul 23, 2025 1:52 PM EST
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook will report to Bills training camp despite his ongoing contract dispute, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Cook is looking for a new contract after his 23-touchdown season last year and is a candidate to be a "hold-in" this preseason, meaning he would attend practices and meetings (while avoiding fines) but not actually take part in practice. Cook is looking for an extension as he heads into the final year of his rookie deal, and he stayed away from the team through OTAs before attending mandatory minicamp in mid-June. With Cook in search of a big deal and entering a contract year, some reports are suggesting the team could turn to more of a committee with Ray Davis and Ty Johnson getting more work alongside Cook this season. Cook's status and potential new deal will be one of the top stories for the Bills this preseason, as they look to win a sixth straight AFC East title. Cook is an elite fantasy running back if he's in the workhorse role, as expected, but keep an eye on his contract situation since it could impact his availability down the line.
Jul 22, 2025 10:44 AM EST
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