Advertisement

James Cook injury update: Bills inactives for Jets game now posted

James Cook, who has been the Buffalo Bills' most productive offensive player not named Josh Allen, may not be able to play Monday night in the battle for first place in the AFC East against the New York Jets.

Will James Cook play against the Jets?

UPDATE: Cook is listed as inactive for the Bills game for the Jets. He will not play.

Coach Sean McDermott said Saturday before the Bills' final practice of the week that Cook will be listed as questionable for the game as he tries to battle through a foot/toe injury. He was a limited participant in practice Saturday.

What running back did the Bills elevate from the practice squad for Jets games?

Rookie Frank Gore Jr. has been elevated to the roster for the game against the Jets. He has been on the Bills practice squad all season. Gore Jr., the son of former NFL great Frank Gore Sr., was signed by the Bills as an undrafted free agent in April. He had an impressive preseason, finishing second in the league - and first among running backs - with 163 rushing yards on 4.9 yards per carry. Gore Jr. was Pro Football Focus' highest-graded running back in the preseason with in 84.3 grade.

How was James Cook injured?

Cook finished the Houston game last week, but he suffered the injury late when he landed awkwardly after a tackle and he has not practiced this week. Cook ranks 15th in the league in both rushing yards (309) and yards gained from scrimmage (432) and has five total touchdowns.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 06: James Cook #4 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 06: James Cook #4 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Who is James Cook's backup?

Seventh-year veteran Ty Johnson, who has been a productive backup throughout his career, will probably get the start if Cook can't play. He has two of Buffalo's 16 offensive touchdowns this year. The 27-year-old, who played parts of three seasons (2020-22) with the Jets, has rushed for 1,099 yards and five touchdowns on 248 carries for a 4.4 average with 97 receptions for 791 yards and five touchdowns over 77 career games.

More: Two running backs who could make Bills debut due to James Cook injury

Rookie fourth-round pick Ray Davis, 24, has seen action in all five games and is tied with quarterback Josh Allen for second on the team with 26 carries. Davis, 5-foot-8 and 211 pounds, has some power and rushed for 3,626 yards and 29 touchdowns in his college career.

Sal Maiorana has covered the Buffalo Bills for four decades including 35 years as the full-time beat writer for the D&C, and he has written numerous books about the history of the team. He can be reached at maiorana@gannett.com, and you can follow him on Twitter @salmaiorana. https://profile.democratandchronicle.com/newsletters/bills-blast

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: James Cook injury update: Bills RB status for Jets game up in the air