Fowler: Bills want to ‘recharge’ run game on TNF

“At some point, there has to be consequences,” Brady said about his lead back, who has fumbled four times in five games this season, including twice on Monday night. Cook has played 67.3 percent of the team’s snaps, and this probably isn’t a threat to his lead back status, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he sat on the bench for a spell if he fumbled in Week 6.

Cook’s elite rushing line was overshadowed by two fumbles, the second of which was a lost fumble on the team’s first possession of overtime, placing the Rams in position to complete the comeback and steal away the victory. A blocked field goal on what would have been the game-winning kick breathed new life into the Bills, who demonstrated confidence in their lead back by throwing him right back out there on the following possession to eventually win the game. The 26 touches go down as a season high for the veteran back, who found paint for the fourth consecutive game in the thrilling overtime win. Cook remains a top-tier RB1 for fantasy purposes ahead of a Week 6 meeting with the Raiders in Las Vegas.

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.

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.