Ty Johnson (hammy) not present at practice on Wed.

He added two catches for either yards. This game was never more than a one-score game, so it’s pretty shocking that Cook only had 14 touches. The Patriots did a good job containing him early in the game, apart from his touchdown run, but the Bills simply moved away from the running game too quickly. Cook was gaining huge chunk yards in the second half and should have been fed more carries during the game. With the Bills having their second straight mediocre offensive performance, you have to wonder if they will make it a point to lean on Cook more next week against the Rams.

Johnson missed the first two games after having his hamstring accessory tendon removed on August 11th. We’re not sure what that entails, but it doesn’t sound like a minor injury, and it makes sense why Johnson is only now able to return. Still, in his first game back, Johnson remains the clear passing game back in Buffalo’s offense. While he was second on the team in receiving, he played just 15 snaps, and 30 of his 50 receiving yards came on one catch. He’s not a recommended option in fantasy, and Ray Davis would remain the main beneficiary if James Cook were to get hurt.

Cook was the only running back to get a carry on the day, and he ripped off over six yards per rush. He got the Bills down inside the two-yard line twice but watched as Josh Allen ran it into the end zone each time. On the third trip deep into the red zone, Cook rushed it in from four yards out. With Ty Johnson back, Cook did cede some passing game work; however, Cook also played 42 of the team’s 62 snaps, compared to just 15 snaps for Johnson. The lack of receiving may prevent Cook from being a top-five running back, but he’s a clear RB1.

He practiced in full all week and will return to his third-down role against the Chargers.

Cook jumped out to a scorching start on the ground, reaching the century mark in rushing before the half. Still, fantasy managers were left scratching their head as they watched Josh Allen account for three touchdowns from inside the five, two on the ground and one through the air. It wasn’t until a 22-yard carry that was down at the one late in the fourth quarter that the team rewarded Cook with a short-yardage touchdown, finally allowing fantasy managers their first taste of sweet touchdown copium from their first-round draft pick on the young season. Cook is likely to remain busy when the Bills host the Jets in Week 3, where he will remain a locked-in RB1.

Johnson mainly serves as a third-down specialist, so his absence is not hugely consequential. The Bills promoted RB Frank Fore Jr. from the practice squad. He and RB Ray Davis will back up starting RB James Cook tonight.

Bills RB James Cook totaled 57 yards on just 13 rushing attempts last week, adding three catches for 12 yards. Per Fowler, the Bills plan to use him a lot more in primetime this evening. Cook can be treated as a locked-in RB1 in what should be a fantasy-friendly game environment on Thursday Night Football. The Bills notably elevated RB Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad, which could indicate that RB Ty Johnson (hamstring) will be inactive tonight.

Johnson was limited in practice throughout the week after missing the Bills’ opener versus Houston. James Cook’s receiving role didn’t change much with Johnson out. Instead, Ray Davis and Frank Gore Jr. picked up a few extra routes each. Neither player has much fantasy appeal, even if Johnson remains out.

Johnson, the only offensive player on the Bills injury report ahead of Thursday’s clash with the Lions, could be trending in the right direction for Week 2. If he does return, he’ll take passing-game work off Frank Gore Jr.'s plate.

We’ll have a better idea of if Johnson can go for Week 2 on Tuesday — when the Bills will run an actual practice. Johnson didn’t return to practice until the Friday ahead of Week 1 as he’s nursed this hamstring injury throughout most of training camp. If he does go, he’ll step in as Buffalo’s third-down back. The Bills mostly used Frank Gore Jr. there in the second half during Week 1’s win.