Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN/AP) - Buffalo Bills running back James Cook put aside his contract concerns - and avoided the potential of being fined - by attending the start of the team’s three-day mandatory series of practices on Tuesday, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because head coach Sean McDermott isn’t scheduled to address the media until later in the day. The Athletic first reported Cook was present at the team’s facility.
Cook’s attendance comes after he went public with his desire to negotiate a contract extension while entering the fourth and final year of his rookie deal.
He was the NFL’s co-leader in rushing touchdowns with 16 last year, and skipped Buffalo’s six previous spring practices and month-long workout sessions, all of which were voluntary.
Cook was selected by Buffalo in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Georgia. His older brother is Dalvin Cook, best known for his six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and who spent last year appearing in two games with the Dallas Cowboys.
In February, Cook informally began his public negotiation by posting the message “15 mill year” on his Instagram account.