Bills News
James Cook to Miss Wednesday Practice With Ankle/Foot Injury
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook will not practice on Wednesday due to an ankle and foot injury, head coach Sean McDermott confirmed.
Cook sustained the injury during the Bills’ Week 9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. The 26-year-old running back carried the ball 27 times for 114 yards and added one reception for 11 yards in the win. McDermott did not provide additional details on the severity of the injury or how it occurred during the game. Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News first reported the injury news.
The Bills did not immediately place Cook on the injury report with a designation beyond his Wednesday absence. McDermott is expected to provide further updates on Cook’s status following Thursday’s practice session. The team has not ruled Cook out for Sunday’s game.
Cook’s potential absence would be significant for Buffalo’s backfield heading into Week 10. The Bills face the Miami Dolphins on the road in a division matchup. If Cook cannot play, running backs Ty Johnson and Ray Davis would split backfield duties.
Johnson serves as the primary backup and has experience in Buffalo’s offensive system. Davis, has seen limited action this season but would likely receive increased touches in Cook’s absence. The Dolphins’ defense has struggled against the run at times this season, which could benefit whichever backs Buffalo deploys.
Cook has been a cornerstone of the Bills offense in 2025. Through nine weeks, he has rushed for 867 yards and seven touchdowns on 153 carries. He ranks as the seventh-highest scoring running back in half-point PPR formats. His production has been consistent throughout the season, making him a weekly RB1 option for fantasy managers.
The injury comes at a critical time in Buffalo’s season as the team navigates the second half of the schedule. Cook’s workload has increased in recent weeks, including the 27-carry performance against Kansas City. That marked one of his heaviest usage games of the season.
Fantasy managers rostering Cook should monitor his practice participation throughout the week. Wednesday absences for veteran players are not uncommon, particularly after heavy workloads. However, the specific nature of an ankle and foot injury raises questions about mobility and effectiveness even if Cook does suit up Sunday.
Johnson and Davis represent potential waiver wire pickups for fantasy managers seeking running back depth. Both would carry streaming appeal if Cook misses the Miami game, though their exact role split remains unclear. Johnson would likely handle third-down work while Davis could see early-down carries.
The Bills have not indicated whether Cook’s injury is related to any specific play or if it developed over the course of the Kansas City game. McDermott typically provides injury updates following each practice session during the week.
Buffalo’s training staff will evaluate Cook’s progress over the next two days. Thursday’s practice report will offer more clarity on whether Cook has a realistic chance to play against Miami. Teams must submit their final injury report with game designations by Friday afternoon.
