Team news: Buffalo Bills | Page 2

Bills RB James Cook (hamstring) is off the injury report and good to go Sunday vs. the Jets.

Related Players: Ray Davis, Ty Johnson

All systems go for James Cook as a high-end RB2 here. Keep Davis in the desperation RB4 range.

Bills WR Khalil Shakir, who suffered a high ankle sprain in practice a month ago, was listed as full participant today on the season's initial injury report. WR Keon Coleman (groin) was limited.

Related Players: Joshua Palmer, Curtis Samuel, Dalton Kincaid

The whole Bills wide receiver room feels like a stay-away to begin the season, but Shakir should sneak himself back into WR3/4 consideration now that he's fully cleared. He'll need some more splash plays to be truly fantasy relevant, but he's in a good situation as a floor play against a Ravens team that could force a shootout. We'll keep an eye on Coleman's status, but he's more of a boom-bust option if he suits up.

And another trade! The Denver Broncos are sending WR Devaughn Vele to the New Orleans Saints for a 2026 4th-round pick and a 2027 7th-round pick, per sources.

Related Players: Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Mason Tipton, Brandin Cooks, Cedrick Wilson

That's a lot of related players, but the biggest impact is probably on rookie Pat Bryant, who has played well enough to make Vele expendable in Denver.

The Saints will presumably employ the 6'4" Vele as a rotational threat, which makes him a little more interesting in super deep leagues for a team that is projected to be playing from behind a ton.

Perhaps Ray Davis could be a bit more of a factor, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see a similar split to last season among the Bills' three backs. The team put James Cook on the field for 47.6% of offensive snaps, with Davis getting opportunities (24.3%) and Ty Johnson seeing the field often on third downs (29%). Despite Cook "holding in" for much of camp before reaching a contract extension on Wednesday, the Bills did not show anything in practice to indicate a different approach this season.

Looks like Davis will continue to be mostly an arbitrage play in fantasy, though we have to assume some regression from Cook's 16 rushing touchdowns, so maybe the sophomore can snag some of those. He's still an interesting pick for RB-needy teams in the double-digit rounds.

Bills now have officially signed RB James Cook to a four-year contract extension through 2029.

Related Players: Ray Davis, Ty Johnson

It's a four-year, $48M extension after Cook scored 18 combined touchdowns last season. We can still expect Davis and Johnson to rotate in (and Josh Allen could always take some of those rushing touchdowns for himself), but Cook remains a very solid RB2 option in 2025.

Bills HC Sean McDermott tells reporters he’s confident that RB James Cook will practice today noting "things have changed.”

There were no specifics as to what has changed exactly, but one can speculate his hold-out or hold-in is - hopefully - over. Cook wants a new deal and missed several practices and also declined to play in the team's last preseason game.

Bills HC Sean McDermott said he’s being told as of now that WR Khalil Shakir should be on pace to return for the start of the season.

Shakir is dealing with a high ankle sprain.

Related Players: Joshua Palmer, Keon Coleman, Elijah Moore, Curtis Samuel

It would be fantastic news if Shakir were able to suit up to kick off the season, as we're still expecting him to pace the team in targets. If he has a fully healthy season, there are signs pointing to a potential true breakout, making him an intriguing WR3 at a WR4 price. That all depends on volume though, so any missed time makes him a less valuable pick due to a lack of "blow-up" games.

Bills running back James Cook has been open about his desire for a new contract, but he reported to training camp and was taking part in practice until Sunday.

On Sunday, Cook watched the session in street clothes and said after it was over that “business” was the reason why he was not on the field with the rest of the team. During an appearance on WGR Monday, Bills General Manager Brandon Beane said that Cook’s plan was “not something they were fully aware of until shortly before practice” and that he hopes to have Cook back on the field soon.

The story went on to say Beane said there has been “constant communication” with Cook about an extension. Beane also noted that both sides have to agree in order for the deal to come together and that the team has to make sure it “all fits under an umbrella, not in a silo.” The Bills don't seem to be in a hurry as Beane also said a deal can still get done before Cook becomes a free agent.

Dalton Kincaid is back in pads at practice today after missing yesterday with ‘general knee soreness’

Good sign.

Related Players: Dawson Knox

Good sign, indeed. Kincaid is (once again) set up for a successful fantasy season as he heads into Year 3 on an explosive offense with a lack of WR depth. He was in a very similar situation ahead of 2024 and was unable to deliver, which is why he is currently ranked in TE2 range.

The Bills activated TE Dawson Knox from the Non-Football List Sunday.

Knox missed the first four practices with a hamstring injury. For fantasy purposes, Knox will likely remain behind Dalton Kincaid in the pecking order but will see plenty of time on the field. The Bills also activated WR Laviska Shenault, who had a lower leg strain.