BUFFALO Bills star running back James Cook has decided on his future after skipping multiple training camp practice sessions.
The star has been embroiled in an ongoing contract dispute with his NFL team.
Buffalo Bills star running back James Cook is coming off a career-best season[/caption]
Cook has skipped roughly the last few of practices and didn’t appear in the team’s preseason game against the New York Giants last weekend over his contract dispute[/caption]
Cook has sat out roughly the last week of practices over his contract feud with the Bills.
The two-time Pro Bowler is in the final year of his rookie deal and has looked to agree to a contract extension with the team.
But on Tuesday, Cook returned to the Bills’ practice.
On Saturday, the 25-year-old was spotted on the field and in full uniform for the preseason game against the New York Giants.
But after participating in the 11-on-11 drills in warmups, Cook came back on the field without his helmet and didn’t appear in the team’s 34-25 loss.
However, Bills head coach Sean McDermott confirmed that Cook will take part in training and shared an update on the four-year veteran.
McDermott said that “things have changed,” leading to Cook’s return to practice, and that “the information that we’re getting is that he’s moving in the right direction.”
The comments make it seem that Cook has had positive contract negotiations with the Bills.
But McDermott did caution that he’s taking the situation day by day, per The Athletic.
After Saturday’s game, McDermott told reporters that he talked to Cook the previous day and described it as “a good conversation.”
During that discussion, Cook agreed to warm up with the squad before the contest but would be inactive.
Cook’s agent told ESPN, “I don’t know what else he can do to show he only wants to play for the Bills.
“Hopefully we can figure this out and refocus all energy on bringing a Super Bowl to Buffalo.”
Ray Davis and Ty Johnson have handled most of the first-team reps during Cook’s hold-in.
NFL WEEK 1 SCHEDULE
(All times ET)
Thur 4 Sept
8.20 pm – Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Fri 5 Sept
8pm – Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers
Sun 7 Sept
1pm – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
1pm – Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
1pm – Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts
1pm – Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots
1pm – Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
1pm – Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
1pm – New York Giants at Washington Commanders
1pm – Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars
4.05 pm – Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos
4.05 pm – San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
4.25 pm – Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
4.25 pm – Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams
8.20 pm – Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
Mon 8 Sept
8.15 pm – Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
Cook produced a career season in 2024.
He posted 1,009 yards on 207 attempts and a career-best 16 rushing touchdowns.
The Bills saw a majority of their starters appear in the preseason loss.
However, star quarterback Josh Allen and other injured players didn’t participate in the contest.
Buffalo will visit the Chicago Bears in the second preseason game of the season on Sunday night.
