The Buffalo Bills’ offensive engine hit another unexpected speed breaker Wednesday when James Cook didn’t take the field.
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III has a wide open are to run the ball during first half action against the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Nov. 2, 2025.
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III has a wide open are to run the ball during first half action against the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Nov. 2, 2025.
The 25-year-old workhorse is actually on pace to cook a significant number this year in Buffalo’s ground attack. However, it encountered a considerable roadblock on Sunday this week during the Chiefs’ clash after suffering a foot and ankle injury.
However, nobody saw the injury to be serious enough to force the franchise RB to miss practice on Wednesday.
Bills’ James Cook Not Practicing Wednesday
Head coach Sean McDermott confirmed Cook’s injury emerged during the Chiefs game, and the running back has been dealing with soreness over the past few days.
This is no way a perfect time to be injured, as he ensured the Bills improved to 6-2 before leaving the field on Sunday. He entirely torched Kansas City’s front seven for 114 yards on a career-high 27 touches.
Accumulating 867 rushing yards with seven touchdowns, he is leading the rushing yard leaderboard in the second position, with Colts’ Jonathan Taylor holding the first this season.
Without him, the Bills would lean on a backfield committee featuring Ty Johnson and Ray Davis. Quite frankly, neither of them has a champion-level ceiling.
Bills RB James Cook did not practice today due to foot and ankle injuries.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 5, 2025
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the RB did not practice on Wednesday due to foot and ankle injuries. For the unversed, it’s the first practice Cook has missed since the season’s early stages.
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Thursday and Friday practice reports are still to come. So, Cook has two more chances to practice before this weekend’s game against the Dolphins. If he misses the two sessions as well, then snaps would be available for Johnson and Davis.
Josh Allen Shares Interesting Take on James Cook’s Injury
While the injury report has led to concern across Western New York, quarterback Josh Allen reflected his unwavering confidence in his running back’s professionalism.
“I said this in training camp, there’s no replacing James Cook,” Allen said. “So hopefully he’s doing everything that he needs to be doing, which again, he’s a true pro. He’s going to be doing that, and hopefully we can have him back by time game time rolls around.”
Allen knows what Cook brings to the table, and he is aware of the significant drop-off. The two have built strong chemistry, with Cook often serving as a security blanket on third downs and in short-yardage situations.
The Bills sit at 6-2, but maintaining that momentum in AFC East requires having their full arsenal healthy. For now, all they can do is trust the process until the next practice session report comes.