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Alaina Getzenberg
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills operating again James Cook didn’t take part in coaching camp apply for a second straight day on Monday as he continues to hunt a contract extension. He is within the ultimate 12 months of his rookie deal.
Cook dinner briefly appeared on the crew’s apply however not in uniform. As a substitute, he was in exercise gear and a beanie. He walked by the outskirt of the sphere, inside a conveyable bathroom after which went again out in the direction of the crew’s locker room. Cook dinner didn’t seem at apply for the remainder of the day.
The fourth-year operating again didn’t take part in Sunday’s apply however was on the sphere for your entire session. Afterward, Cook dinner, 25, informed reporters that he wasn’t collaborating due to “enterprise.” He had beforehand participated in all eight of the crew’s coaching camp practices and the three days of obligatory minicamp, however he was not on the crew’s voluntary offseason crew actions.
Payments normal supervisor Brandon Beane mentioned throughout his look on native radio station WGR550 on Monday morning that they didn’t know Cook dinner would not be practising on Sunday till shortly earlier than apply. On the time of the interview, about two hours earlier than apply on Monday, Beane did not know if Cook dinner could be practising on Monday.
“On the finish of the day, I want we weren’t right here,” Beane mentioned on WGR550. “That is my ninth season right here. We have by no means had a participant miss as a result of a contract or something like that, in order that’s disappointing for me. It isn’t one thing we wish, not one thing we’re wanting ahead to, however on the finish of the day, like I mentioned earlier, it is form of, typically could be the way in which of the world and so we’ll cope with it the very best we will.”
Beane additionally mentioned on Monday there was “fixed communication” between the Payments and Cook dinner and his crew. Cook dinner’s agent has not returned ESPN’s requests for remark.
The 2 sides haven’t been in a position to comply with phrases on an extension for the operating again regardless of discussions additionally happening again within the spring. The Payments prolonged three different members of the 2022 draft class this offseason — CB Christian Benford, LB Terrel Bernard and WR Khalil Shakir.
“We received a number of the offers completed that we tried, and it is well-known,” Beane mentioned. “We tried to get one thing completed with [Cook] and, sadly, it takes two and either side should agree on what that quantity is and clearly that hasn’t gotten there, however I am not sitting right here saying you do not pay operating backs. I feel you simply have to search out what the candy spot is.”
Operating backs Ty Johnson and Ray Davis mentioned that they discovered Cook dinner would not be practising on Sunday after they began apply.
“I respect what he is doing and every little thing,” Johnson mentioned. “He is attempting to do what’s finest for him. So, on the finish of the day, we’re not on this league for a very long time, so he is attempting to get his and I respect that.”
The Payments have an off day on Tuesday earlier than returning to apply at St. John Fisher College on Wednesday.