Buffalo Bills starting running back James Cook did not participate in the team’s last five practices, sitting out in the hopes of leveraging his desired specs for a new contract.
Suffice it to say, given the surprise turn this offseason by the RB1, it was also a surprise when he walked out of the Highmark Stadium tunnel in uniform ahead of Saturday’s preseason matchup with the Giants and participated in warmup drills.
Cook elected to only take part in pre-game drills, however, and not to play.
Fellow starter, quarterback, and reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen also didn’t play. In that regard, Cook not seeing the field is arguably not as big of a deal, as there is no need to risk injury to the two best players on their offense.
What is also encouraging is that his coach and he have been in better communication following a disconnect ahead of their last practice.
“James and I had a good conversation yesterday,” McDermott said to the press postgame. “We talked about warming up. He agreed to warm up, but not play due to his situation right now, so that’s where we’re at, so no change really overall.”
While Allen didn’t play, many of the team’s other starters did, and McDermott communicated the team’s desire for Cook to play as well.
“But at this point, due to the situation and position he’s in, he was not willing to play, so that’s where we’re at,” he continued. “Again, it was a good conversation, but really no change overall.”
When a third question from the press was asked to McDermott regarding whether Cook would return to practice this upcoming week, it proved to be one too many on the subject.
“Again, let’s just move on,” he replied. “We can talk about the guys who played. I think that’s the right thing to do and fair thing to do right now. James’ situation is James’ situation. Let’s talk about the team.”
The fourth-year running back is seeking a contract extension, albeit in very narrow terms and with an approach that is a departure from the team’s culture.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen if that will result in any departure from Buffalo in the future, as for the time being, the team plans to play him, and Cook’s indicated he won’t miss any competition that would result in his being fined.
While McDermott made it clear that the team is the focus, and that when a player is focused on themselves, they are, for better or worse, not actively or at least fully a part of the team, given recent events Cook getting back out there in uniform is a good sign and hopefully a step in the right direction.