RADIO
James Cook III Keeps Rolling Into Week 4
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III has put together back-to-back monster rushing performances. He followed 135 yards against Detroit with 154 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries against the Chargers, bringing him to 346 rushing yards on 58 attempts through three games. That is 6.0 yards per carry, and the workload has been every bit as encouraging as the efficiency. Josh Allen will continue to steal some short-yardage touchdowns, but Cook has handled enough volume for that to be a secondary concern. New England has allowed 325 rushing yards through three games. RotoBaller has Cook at RB7 for Week 4, and there is no reason to get cute with this one. He belongs in lineups as an RB1 again Sunday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ray Davis Questionable With Hamstring Injury
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots. Davis wasn't on the injury report Wednesday, then popped up Thursday with the hamstring issue despite practicing in full. He has barely been involved in Buffalo's offense through three games, carrying the ball once for three yards. Davis also played just five offensive snaps against the Chargers last week. Ty Johnson returned for that game and immediately saw more work, logging 15 snaps behind James Cook. That makes Davis' status more important for Buffalo's depth than for fantasy lineups at the moment. If he can't go Sunday, Johnson would be the likeliest back to pick up the available reserve snaps behind Cook.
Source: Sal Capaccio
Source: Sal Capaccio
Ty Johnson a Deep-League Waiver-Wire Target if Receiving Volume Sticks
Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson made his season debut in Week 3, and he immediately made an impact with four catches for 50 receiving yards. It's no secret that Johnson is a talented pass-catcher out of the backfield, and he put his receiving skills on display as the Bills' No. 2 receiver in terms of yardage on Sunday. Given that he occupied just a 23% snap share, it's hard to guarantee that he'll be able to get on the fantasy radar as a low-end RB3/flex every single week. However, on a positive note, there's a decent amount of volume available for him in this potent Bills offense. Johnson is not the flashiest fantasy option for Week 4 against the Patriots, but managers in deeper leagues may feel comfortable streaming him in PPR formats, or at least stashing him on the bench to see if he can produce for two weeks in a row.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ray Davis Offers Little Standalone Value
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis has barely seen any involvement in the backfield through the first two weeks of the season. Davis saw one carry in the season opener, and he didn't do anything in the rushing game last week. It seems highly unlikely that Davis is going to do much of anything on the field while James Cook III is healthy. Cook is the workhorse back, and there's not much room for anyone else in the backfield right now. Fantasy managers shouldn't bother starting Davis in any fantasy formats ahead of the Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. He offers stash value in case Cook ever goes down, but Davis doesn't need to be started.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
James Cook III Keeps Rolling Into Week 3
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III tore through Detroit in Week 2, carrying 21 times for 135 yards and a touchdown in the 41-31 win. He had already crossed 100 yards before halftime and finished with 139 yards from scrimmage after adding one catch for four yards. Los Angeles did a much better job against the run last week, holding Ashton Jeanty to 48 yards on 21 carries, so Cook is not walking into the same setup he had against Detroit. Buffalo's offense is operating at such a high level that the matchup only matters so much. Cook remains the clear lead back, and his 21 carries last week were a good sign even with Josh Allen continuing to handle some of the work near the goal line. RotoBaller has Cook at RB7 for Week 3. He remains an RB1 against the Chargers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
James Cook III Bounces Back with Dominant Week 2 Performance
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III put up a huge game in his team's 41-31 Week 2 win over the Detroit Lions, recording 21 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown. It was a nice bounce-back performance for the 26-year-old, who was held to 69 yards from scrimmage on 16 touches by the Houston Texans in Buffalo's season-opener. Cook III's fantasy production is impacted by the presence of Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who had two rushing touchdowns against Detroit and continues to be Buffalo's preferred option in short-yardage situations. Still, Cook III was the only Bills running back to receive a carry in Week 2, even in a game that his team largely controlled for 60 minutes. Buffalo's offense also looks like one of the best units in football so far, which should give Cook III plenty of chances to score touchdowns. Entering the Bills' Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Cook III remains a clear fantasy RB1.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
James Cook III Remains a Strong RB1 for Week 2
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III ran 13 times for 57 yards and finished with 69 total yards against Houston, but nothing about his role should worry fantasy managers. He was on the field for 72% of Buffalo's offensive snaps and clearly remained the lead option. Josh Allen simply handled the rushing touchdowns himself. Cook gets Detroit on Thursday with Buffalo expected to move the ball again, and Ty Johnson is questionable with a hamstring injury. That could leave even less competition behind him than usual. Cook also caught both of his targets in the opener, so he does not need a rushing touchdown to salvage his week. RotoBaller ranks him RB6 for Week 2. Allen is always going to steal some work near the goal line, but Cook's workload is plenty strong enough to keep him in the RB1 range against Detroit.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ray Davis' Week 1 Usage Hurts His Handcuff Appeal
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis opened the season with one carry for three yards in Sunday's 36-31 win over Houston, but the bigger concern was how little he played. Davis logged only five offensive snaps, while practice-squad call-up Frank Gore Jr. saw 11 and also carried once for three yards. Buffalo still lists Davis second behind James Cook III on the depth chart, so this is not enough to say he has lost the backup job. It does make his handcuff value much shakier than it looked entering the season. Davis has shown he can handle volume when needed, including 21 carries for 151 yards in last year's regular-season finale, but Week 1 did not suggest Buffalo is eager to give him much work right now. He remains worth holding in deeper leagues, especially with Cook managers looking for insurance, but Davis should not be a priority add in standard 10- or 12-team formats ahead of Thursday's game against Detroit.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ty Johnson Won't Play in Season Opener Against Texans
Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (hamstring) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Houston Texans. Johnson didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, so he was already trending in the wrong direction in the middle of last week. He did log a limited session on Friday and managed to enter the weekend listed as questionable. However, in the end, he won't play in the season opener. Johnson's biggest contributions last year came on passing downs, as nearly two-thirds of his touches were catches. He had more receiving yards than rushing yards, and he scored five touchdowns throughout the season despite playing behind James Cook. His absence on Sunday will put Ray Davis in the backup role behind Cook.
Source: Buffalo Bills
Source: Buffalo Bills
James Cook III Carries RB1 Upside Into Week 1
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III returns to Houston after rushing for 116 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries against the Texans last November. Cook went on to lead the NFL with 1,621 rushing yards in 2025, averaging 5.2 yards per carry while scoring 12 times on the ground. He also caught 33 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns, giving him another path to production in a difficult Week 1 matchup. Houston allowed only 1,593 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns last season while holding opponents to 4.0 yards per carry. Cook's lead role remains secure, even with Ray Davis and Ty Johnson behind him, and Johnson enters the weekend questionable with a hamstring injury. RotoBaller ranks Cook RB11 for Week 1. His volume and big-play ability keep him in the low-end RB1 range despite the strength of Houston's front.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ty Johnson is Questionable for Week 1 with Hamstring Injury
Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (hamstring) was a limited participant during Friday's practice session. According to the Bills' official website, Johnson is considered questionable for the upcoming Week 1 matchup against the Houston Texans. Johnson missed the first two days of practice before getting in a limited session to end the week. Johnson missed a good portion of camp, so it's unclear if he'll be game-ready in time for Sunday's contest. If he sits out, Ray Davis could have an expanded role behind lead back James Cook III in the backfield. Neither back offers weekly starting value with Cook healthy and getting the bulk of the carries.
Source: buffalobills.com
Source: buffalobills.com
Ray Davis Offers Late-Round Value
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis doesn't offer much standalone value, but is an intriguing handcuff option. Davis hasn't seen a ton of work on the ground due to the fact that James Cook has been mostly healthy. However, Davis remains one of the more popular handcuff options because of the way the Bills love to pound the ball on the ground. The 26-year-old only rushed the ball 58 times last season, but averaged 4.74 yards per carry. Davis is successful when he gets an opportunity, but his chances have been limited so far during his two years in the league. Davis isn't a must-roster player, but is someone worth considering during the final round on Draft Day due to his potential upside if Cook ever goes down.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Ray Davis a Handcuff with Low Standalone Value
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis lacks standalone value as long as teammate James Cook III is healthy. However, Davis remains a very appealing handcuff option, especially in deeper fantasy leagues. Cook, who has been a top-12 running back in each of the last three seasons, has missed just one game since entering the NFL. However, if he were to miss time this year, Davis would step into the lead-back role as a strong RB2 in a high-powered offense that loves to run the ball. Because Cook hasn't really dealt with injuries in the past, Davis isn't a must-roster player in every single league. Instead, he's more of a low-end stash in fantasy leagues with 12+ teams. Managers in shallower leagues will have a tough time justifying keeping Davis on their bench if Cook stays healthy for most of the year. As it stands, Davis has an ADP of 188.4. He projects as a last-round pick in 12-team fantasy leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
James Cook III Set For More Passing Work To Reduce Rushing Workload
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III led the league last year in rushing with 1,621 rushing yards on 309 carries, but look for him this season to be more involved in the passing game and be more explosive overall. According to a Sports Illustrated article, Bills offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael hinted that Cook was heavily involved in the run game last season and could see a reduction to his workload as a result of increased passing work. That's good news for Cook's health and a boost to fantasy managers with a big season upcoming due to potential big plays in the passing game with Josh Allen running the offense under new coach Joe Brady. Cook looks locked and loaded as a first round pick and this only increases his value. Last year, Cook had 33 catches for 291 yards and two receiving TDs. Look for those numbers to skyrocket this season if he stays healthy.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Ty Johnson Absent for Another Practice
Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (leg) remained sidelined for Wednesday's practice, according to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. Johnson suffered a lower-leg injury in early August and has been out of action since, although he resumed running and sprinting last week. The 28-year-old's status is still up in the air for the Week 1 season opener against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Sept. 13, which could leave the Bills' backfield depth a little thin behind starter James Cook III. If Johnson is unable to play in Week 1, Ray Davis would see a bigger change-of-pace role behind Cook. Johnson, a sixth-rounder by the Detroit Lions in 2019 from Maryland, had 50 carries for 200 yards and a career-high three rushing scores in 2025 in his seventh year in the NFL, adding 24 receptions on 33 targets for 263 yards and two receiving touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. Fantasy managers in 12-team leagues can avoid Johnson until further notice. We should have a better idea of Johnson's Week 1 status when the Bills release their official practice reports next week.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
