Buffalo Bills running back James Cook practiced Tuesday following a week-long hold-in in which he attended training camp but did not participate due to unfinished contract negotiations.
“I would say that things have changed,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said Tuesday. “We have had conversations with James, good conversations, as I’ve mentioned before.”
It was a fully padded practice for the Bills, and Cook fully participated. He went through his usual routines during positional drills, while getting his work in on 7-on-7 drills and 11-on-11 team drills against the defense.
Cook declined to speak with reporters after practice. When asked for comment on the running back’s return to practice, his representation did not immediately respond to The Athletic.
The Cook hold-in, or at least this version of it, lasted nine days before he rejoined the team in a practice setting. At Saturday’s preseason game against the New York Giants, Cook appeared in full pads and his uniform, but refused to play.
Cook’s first few minutes of his first practice back pic.twitter.com/VPU2zu9fGM
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) August 12, 2025
McDermott said Saturday that he had a good conversation with Cook ahead of the Giants game and wanted the running back to play, but Cook instead agreed to go through warmups in full equipment. He missed four consecutive training camp practices before that, not even appearing around the field over the last two.
Although a big change from where things stood previously, the Bills stopped short of declaring that the hold-in is now over.
“Too early to go there,” McDermott said. “Right now, I’m just focused on what’s right in front of us, which is the practice, which would be a step for us here.”
Cook’s teammates have remained supportive of him, including reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen.
“As players, we have to separate, sometimes, the business and the sport. I know both sides thought that what they’re doing is the right thing,” Allen said Tuesday. “It’s been extremely normal between us. I’m not gonna ask him to do anything that he doesn’t wanna do, or wouldn’t do, or I wouldn’t do myself. I understand that in his mind, it was the right thing to do. I trust him. But yeah, very happy to have him back out there today.”
A little more of James Cook’s first day back pic.twitter.com/uHGu1tkSFE
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) August 12, 2025
Cook will become a free agent at the end of the season and has been open about his desires for a new contract. Negotiations appeared to be on the right track when Cook participated in the Bills’ first eight practices. That changed on Aug. 3, when he did not participate, declaring it “business,” while the team issued a “no comment” on the running back’s practice availability.
The day after the hold-in began, general manager Brandon Beane discussed the matter during a previously scheduled local radio spot.
“We tried to get something done with Jimbo, and unfortunately, you know, it’s got— it takes two,” Beane said on WGR-AM on Aug. 4. “And both sides have to agree on what that number is, and obviously, that hasn’t gotten there. But, I’m not sitting here saying ‘You don’t pay running backs.’ I think you just have to find what the sweet spot is.”
Cook scored 16 rushing touchdowns last season, tying for first in the NFL, while he recorded his second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season. The Bills drafted him in the second round out of Georgia in 2022, and he has two Pro Bowl appearances.
Three of Cook’s draft classmates — linebacker Terrel Bernard, receiver Khalil Shakir, cornerback Christian Benford — and edge rusher Gregory Rousseau received contract extensions this offseason.
Cook’s next opportunity to practice is Wednesday. The Bills have Thursday off to travel to Chicago and will take part in joint practices with the Bears on Friday.
(Photo: Mark Konezny / Imagn Images)
