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Is James Cook playing this week? Read the latest injury updates for Bills RBs in Week 7 of 2024, and John's fantasy football injury analysis.
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (toe) has been one of the most productive tailbacks in the league through his first five weeks of play. He was averaging 4.4 yards per carry and had racked up 309 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, 11 catches for 123 yards, and a touchdown catch.
Unfortunately, an injury sidelined him in Week 6, and he was declared "Out."
So will James Cook play in Week 7?
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Is James Cook Playing in Week 7?
He was likely close to playing on Monday night when the Bills faced the New York Jets but was declared as "Out" shortly before the game. With this in mind, it seems likely that he will suit up in Week 7. It's possible Buffalo had plenty of confidence in the abilities of rookie backup Ray Davis -- if it did, they weren't misplaced.
#BillsMafia rookie Ray Davis was sensational in his first extended action vs the Jets.
His 152 yards from scrimmage are the most by a rookie in any game in 2024 so far.
Do you think he and James Cook will be in a timeshare moving forward⁉️pic.twitter.com/gHFnDDNXu5
— PlayerProfiler NFL (@Profiler_NFL) October 17, 2024
In the lead back's absence, the rookie had a huge game, totaling 152 yards and scoring 18.20 PPR fantasy points. Buffalo has excellent run-blocking along the offensive line, and that showed up in Week 6. While Cook is seen as one of the NFL's most talented backs, it would appear his team can survive games without him.
The former Georgia Bulldog practiced in full Thursday, meaning he is likely good to go. Meanwhile, Davis appeared on the injury report with a calf injury, so that will be something to monitor.
Good news: James Cook was full.
Bad news: Ray Davis was limited with a new calf injury. https://t.co/amgI1xeQMX— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 17, 2024
James Cook Week 7 Fantasy Football Outlook
It's easy to panic and think that when backup running backs have good performances in their first starts, they're on their way to taking over the backfield. However, this just isn't true. The Bills have clearly shown that they view the vet as their starter, and have given him an excellent backfield role.
Ray Davis will have a role when James Cook is back
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) October 15, 2024
Many analysts seem confident that the rookie will siphon touches away from Cook -- we've already seen this happen, though, with Davis earning 10, eight, and seven touches in Weeks 2-4 before inexplicably not being given a touch in Week 5. He's already had a role, though he hasn't been very productive as a backup.
Cook is still a must-start when he plays. There's no reason to panic. When both he and his backup have played, it's been the vet who has come out on top, and he's not losing his job anytime soon.
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