As the Bills begin day one of mandatory minicamp, head coach Sean McDermott confirmed an integral member of their backfield is in attendance for practice.
RB James Cook, who had yet to be present so far this offseason, is in the building and participated in Tuesday's minicamp.
"I really appreciate him being here," McDermott said. "I credit James. Business is business at the end of the day. I know (James) loves being around this team and the guys in the locker room, and he loves to play football. So, respect his decision to be here and be amongst the team and get some work in today, and we're looking forward to that."
After a career-high season in which he tied for the league-lead in rushing touchdowns, Cook took to social media early in the offseason expressing his desire for a new contract with Buffalo. Though the two sides were unable to come to an agreement ahead of minicamp, the 2024 Pro Bowler spoke after Tuesday's practice and affirmed his commitment to the team.
"Everything is a business, so no hard feelings," he said. "Everything gonna work how it's opposed to work."
Players under contract are subject to fines for unexcused minicamp absences. Cook avoided fines simply by showing up to One Bills Drive; he did not have to participate in practice but said he chose to because he's one of the leaders on the team.
"Why not? I'm here, I'm part of the team," he said.
Cook shared that he plans to continue practicing with the team during minicamp as well as training camp in July.
"It's my team. In order to win a Super Bowl or compete for a Super Bowl and have a winning season, I have to be out there and be out there with my teammates," he said.
Now that he's practicing, the RB is focused on being a good teammate and leader and shared that he isn't focused on that status of his contract right now.
"At this moment, I'm going to just keep working hard and let God take control and keep doing what I do," Cook said.
Cook also doesn't view this ongoing situation as something that will be a distraction for him or the team.
"Personally, I don't look at it like that. Just be where my feet are everyday and I just want to play football. That's what I'm here to do," he added.
Buffalo's three-day minicamp is the last practice window of the spring season before training camp at the end of July.
Elsewhere around the roster, McDermott shared that seven players will not participate in practice Tuesday: WR KJ Hamler, CB Taron Johnson, DB Cam Lewis, C Connor McGovern, DE Joey Bosa, LB Baylon Spector, S Cole Bishop and S Damar Hamlin.
McDermott said these players are dealing with "kind of different situations" as it relates to either managing an injury, rehabbing from surgery, or working through a recent tweak. At this point, the head coach does not believe any of the seven players are in danger of missing the start of training camp.
Post-practice update: CB Taron Johnson wore a red non-contact jersey during practice, but did participate in live 7 on 7 and 11 on 11 team drills. RB Ty Johnson did not participate in practice.
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