James Cook was not on the field at Buffalo Bills practice Sunday. He made it abundantly clear that had nothing to do with injury.
Cook was asked by reporters why he wasn’t on the field for Sunday’s session. His answer?
‘Business,’ the 25-year-old running back said, per the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Cook repeated that phrase for each ensuing question about his status, including one about whether he would be back on the field Monday. The Bills gave no comment when asked about their starting running back’s absence.
Cook’s refusal to participate in practice comes as he seeks a lucrative contract extension with the Bills. The fourth-year veteran is entering the final year of his rookie contract with the team and – after a season during which he racked up 1,267 scrimmage yards and led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns – is hoping to ink a long-term deal paying him $15 million in average annual value (AAV).
Bills general manager Brandon Beane has indicated the team wants Cook to be a long-term part of its plans as well. However, the two parties have not yet been able to agree to terms on a possible extension.
Cook skipped all of Buffalo’s voluntary spring programs before reporting to the team for mandatory minicamp in mid-June. He explained he attended the latter to avoid being fined for his absence.
That said, Cook reported to Bills training camp on time and was on the field for the first week of Buffalo’s practices. As such, many presumed he wasn’t going to hold out and may instead simply play out the final year of his rookie contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
But now, there are questions about whether Cook is ‘holding in,’ though it isn’t clear whether his decision to skip Sunday’s practice will carry over to another day. Either way, second-year pro Ray Davis and veteran receiving back Ty Johnson will see increased action as long as Cook, who led Bills running backs with 485 snaps played last season (44.6% of the offense’s total), remains out of action.
