Bills RB Cook cites 'business' as reason he sits out practice

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills aren’t commenting on the reason behind James Cook not participating in practice Sunday in what could be viewed as the running back’s next step in escalating his bid to extend the final year of his contract.

Cook, who watched the two-hour session from the sideline in an all-white track suit, was not included in a lengthy list of injured players coach Sean McDermott provided reporters before practice.

While the Bills declined comment on the player’s status in a text to the Associated Press, Cook reiterated the word “business” numerous times following practice in explaining his status to reporters from The Buffalo News and ESPN.

“Business,” was Cook’s one-word response when asked if it was his choice to not practice, The Buffalo News reported.

As for whether he anticipated practicing on Monday, Cook said: “Business. That’s all I’m going to say. Business.”

Messages left with Cook’s representatives were not returned.

A second-round pick in the 2022 draft, Cook was the NFL’s co-leader with 16 touchdowns rushing in his second full season as a starter.

The 25-year-old has made no secret this offseason of his desire for a new contract that would pay him in the range of $15 million a year in what would make him among the league’s highest-paid players at his position.

Though Cook skipped all of the team’s voluntary sessions this spring, he had previously taken part in each of the Bills mandatory practices, including their first eight of training camp before Sunday.

Cook said, “I like my money, that’s why I’m here,” upon reporting for Buffalo’s three-day mandatory camp in June.

He provided a similar answer to open training camp, while insisting he’s confident he’ll get his payday whether it’s in Buffalo or elsewhere. Cook said he didn’t want his contract situation to become a distraction.

Bills general manager Brandon Beane opened camp by saying the two sides remained in contact. He reiterated how he wanted nothing more than to reach an agreement while acknowledging the team had limited room under the salary cap.

The Bills’ injury list continues to grow, as starting receiver Khalil Shakir is listed as week-to-week with a high ankle sprain after he was hurt during the Bills annual Red and Blue scrimmage at their home stadium on Friday.

Also injured Friday were receiver Josh Palmer (groin), one of the team’s prized offseason free-agent additions, and linebacker Shaq Thompson (groin).

The injuries have particularly hit Buffalo’s receivers, with Curtis Samuel (hamstring) and backup Kaden Prather also sidelined. That leaves Keon Coleman as the only projected starter still healthy with Buffalo preparing to open the preseason by hosting the New York Giants on Saturday.

“What we’ve tried to do is pull back on some things in hopes of getting some numbers back. And that hasn’t helped,” McDermott said, in reference to cutting back on the number and length of padded practices. “We’re moving forward. It’s time for us to go and we got to get some work done and move this team forward.”

The most serious injury has been to rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston, who is out indefinitely after spraining a ligament in his right knee last week. Hairston is watching practice on crutches with no definitive timetable for his return.

“It’s going to take some time. He’s week to week,” McDermott said of the first-round draft pick who was competing for a starting job opposite Christian Benford.

“Here’s a young player that is not only missing just the moving around, but also the mental part of the experience you get with through the reps,” he added. “So there’s no way to avoid it, he’s going to be behind when he comes back.”

Injuries have been an issue for the five-time defending AFC East champions since opening training camp with four players on injured lists, including tight end Dawson Knox (calf) and right tackle Spencer Brown (back). Of those four, backup center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (calf) remains sidelined with McDermott hoping the player will be available to return in time for Buffalo’s preseason finale at Tampa Bay on Aug. 23.

Brown resumed practicing on Sunday as did starting linebacker Terrel Bernard, who missed a week with a hamstring injury.

The rash of injuries has also affected Buffalo’s special teams unit with kicker Tyler Bass sidelined with a pelvis issue.