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The Bills are riding high after beating the Kansas City Chiefs 28-21 on Sunday. One of the reasons why Buffalo was able to pull off the win was due to running back James Cook. Cook carried the ball 27 times for 114 yards and, although he didn’t find the end zone, he allowed his teammates, running back Ty Johnson and quarterback Josh Allen, to run in a few scores. Now, the Bills will turn their focus to this Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins, but Cook might not be out there. Cook Missed Wednesday’s Practice The star running back missed Wednesday’s practice because of foot and ankle injuries. Bills head coach Sean McDermott said on Wednesday that Cook’s injury occurred during Sunday’s win over the Chiefs, and that Cook has been sore over the last couple of days, according to Joe Buscaglia. Cook means so much to the Bills’ offense that Fox Sports NFL reporter Ralph Vacchiano called Cook Buffalo’s most important weapon after Sunday’s win. “One thing that makes this Bills team feel a little different this year is that even if Allen is not at his best — and he hasn’t been for a lot of the first half of the season —the Bills’ offense still has juice,” Vacchiano wrote on Sunday. “That’s because Allen has never played with a more potent running back than the version of James Cook he has by his side this season.” “Cook had 114 rushing yards on 27 carries on Sunday, bringing his total to 867 on the season. It was his fifth time topping 100 rushing yards in a game this year — not coincidentally, all Bills wins. And while he’s not all that dangerous as a receiver, he can be reliable, as he showed with his key, 11-yard catch and run for a first down with 2:31 left in the game.” Cook is Having a Great Season Cook might be having the best season of his career, and a lot of that might have to do with him getting a new contract. The 26-year-old running back was set to enter free agency at the end of the season, but after holding out during the early part of training camp in August, the Bills and Cook came to terms on a new four-year deal worth $48 million. Now that Cook has secured a new contract, he no longer has to worry about getting injured and jeopardizing his chances of landing a deal in the offseason. With the added protection from his new contract, he can play freely, knowing that he’s covered in case anything happens. It will be interesting to see if Cook gives it a go this week, especially since he still has some time before Sunday’s game. Since it’s only Wednesday, Cook not practicing isn’t the biggest concern, but if he isn’t out there on Friday, then he might not be able to play.
