‘Cook spent the practice on the field and some of it alongside the injured players on an exercise bike, but was not on coach Sean McDermott’s list of nonparticipants due to injury. The Pro Bowler didn’t attend OTAs earlier this offseason and said he would attend mandatory team events, explaining that he didn’t want to face fines. He attended minicamp and participated in the first eight practices of training camp, but clearly his approach changed.’
BillsBeat - August 4, 2025
Bills RB James Cook Repeated One Word Eight Times To Explain Why He Refused to Practice
‘Cook arrived at Bills practice on Sunday in street clothes and was seen by reporters walking around during practice but never participated. Then Cook spoke to the media and was asked straight-up why he wasn’t practicing. His response consisted of one word: “Business.”‘
Josh Allen's Top Bills Receiver Khalil Shakir Is 'Week-to-Week' With Injury
‘The receiver suffered the injury during Friday’s practice, and after the team’s off day on Saturday, the sprain still seemed to be bothering Shakir enough for his status to change.’
James Cook contract hold-in, explained: Why Bills RB sat out of training camp practice in Buffalo
‘With training camp in full swing, running back James Cook appears to have excused himself from practicing as he seeks a resolution for his contract situation in Buffalo. Cook is currently set to enter free agency following the 2025 season and is seeking a new contract before the season begins.’
NFL insider drops bombshell on Buffalo Bills RB James Cook contract negotiations
‘This is almost certainly about the contract negotiations that have yet to lead to a long-term deal between the Bills and their star running back. Seeing that so many injuries are happening, perhaps he decided to play it safe. And while this could be classified as defiant frustration, one NFL insider believes the two sides aren’t far apart on a deal.’
Bills RB James Cook is putting his foot down, sits out practice amidst several injuries
‘Considering all of the injuries that have taken over Bills camp, including Khalil Shakir suffering a high ankle sprain, it’s hard to blame Cook for sitting out and choosing to play it safe when he doesn’t have a long-term contract in place.’
Bills get bad injury news regarding WR Khalil Shakir
‘Wide receiver Khalil Shakir was rolled up on during the team’s stadium practice. On Sunday, head coach Sean McDermott revealed that Shakir is dealing with a high ankle sprain and is ‘week-to-week.”‘
Bills' Khalil Shakir gets brutal injury update with ankle issue
‘Shakir was hurt on Thursday. He was blocking on a run play, and he was rolled up on. He limped off to the side and sat on the training table to get some work done.’
James Cook sits out Sunday's practice, citing "business" as his excuse
‘Cook is entering the final year of his rookie contract and scheduled to make $5.271 million in base salary. He’s made it known for several months that he wants a contract extension and wants to be paid in-line with some of the top running back deals in the NFL.’
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook appears to be "hold-in" at training camp
‘Cook spoke to The Buffalo News’ Katherine Fitzgerald and ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg. When asked why he did not suit up for practice, Cook responded, “business.”‘
James Cook's 'business' pause raises contract questions at Bills camp
‘Coach Sean McDermott didn’t say anything about the starting running back during his Sunday morning news conference. The Bills also didn’t reference him during an injury announcement, where they listed wide receiver Khalil Shakir and cornerback Maxwell Hairston as “week to week” with injuries.’
Cook's non-participation tops takeaways from Day 8 of Bills training camp
‘Instead, the running back was off to the side, watching in street clothes before heading over to the bike to do work alongside some of the injured players on the team.’
Sixth-round rookie enters loaded cornerback room
‘Joining a crowded room as a rookie is not easy, but Dorian Strong is ready to embrace the challenge. “The cream is always going to rise to the top,” said the rookie from Virginia Tech.’
Top 3 things to know from Day 9 of Bills Training Camp 2025
‘”It’s time for us to go. We got to get some work done and move this team forward,” McDermott said. “So, the reps that we had cut last week, we’re still only working with two groups. Last week, we were down to a group and a half. It’s not conducive, so we got to do what we need to do to move our team forward and get them ready to perform.”‘
Bills WR Khalil Shakir and CB Maxwell Hairston listed 'week to week' with injuries
‘Specifically, he shared that first-round cornerback Maxwell Hairston and wide receiver Khalil Shakir are both “week-to-week” with injuries. Shakir suffered a high ankle sprain during Friday’s Return of the Blue & Red practice.’