ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — James Cook dressed in uniform to warm up prior to the Bills preseason opener Saturday at Highmark Stadium after Buffalo’s top running back sat out the final four practices of training camp in a contract standoff with the team.
Cook, a Pro Bowl alternate in his fourth NFL season who is seeking a contract extension and significant raise in final year of a rookie contract paying him $5.3 million in salary, took one rep with the first-team offense during on-field warmups and did not play in the game against the New York Giants.
After reporting to training camp and being a full participant for the first two weeks, Cook has been “holding in” since Sunday when he wore street clothes to watch practice at St. John Fisher College and cited “business” reasons when reporters asked why he was not participating. Cook was less present near the practice field during the next three practices, but has been attending team meetings and walk-through sessions, coach Sean McDermott said.
MVP quarterback Josh Allen also dressed for the Bills in the all-white uniform combination usually worn during road games, but did not appear in the game.
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.