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    James Cook eeks out late TD in win over Lions

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    BUF Running Back #4
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    James Cook rushed 21 times for 135 yards and a touchdown in the Bills’ Week 2 win over the Lions, adding four yards on one reception.

    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.
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  • BUF Running Back #4
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    “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.
  • BUF Running Back #4
    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.
  • BUF Running Back #4
    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.
  • BUF Running Back #4
    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.
  • BUF Running Back #4
    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.
  • BUF Running Back #4
    Cook had twenty yards on the game’s first drive, but the game eventually skewed pass-heavy for the Bills and Josh Allen had the game’s only two rushing touchdowns. Per PFF’s early charting data, Cook had 41 of the 57 snaps and almost all the work ahead of Ray Davis and Frank Gore Jr. Assuming Ty Johnson remains out on a short week against the Lions in Week 2, Cook will remain a touch-dominator on the RB1 line and will have a chance for a better touchdown runout.
  • BUF Running Back #26
    It sure looks like the hamstring strain that Johnson suffered more than a month ago is going to keep him sidelined for the Bills’ season opener against the Texans. Starting RB James Cook was expected to play a larger role in the passing game this year. With Johnson sidelined, Cook could hog passing down snaps.
  • BUF Running Back #26
    Johnson went down while running a route on August 9th. He resumed running roughly two weeks ago, but has not yet rejoined his teammates in drills. Although Johnson is not on the fantasy radar himself, he has hogged passing down snaps in recent seasons. Starting RB James Cook has been expected to take on a larger receiving role this season, and Johnson’s potential absence adds credence to that idea.
  • BUF Running Back #26
    Johnson went down while running a route in practice on Saturday and immediately grabbed at the back of his right leg. He appeared to be grabbing at the lowest section of his hamstring, but both the back of his knee and the highest point of his calf are possible. Johnson logged a 65 percent third-down snap share and a 56 percent two-minute-drill snap share last season. Starting RB James Cook (19 percent and 31 percent) and fellow backup RB Ray Davis (16 percent and 13 percent) were also involved in both scenarios. If this is a serious injury that causes Johnson to miss time, it could meaningfully raise Cook’s fantasy-scoring ceiling.
  • BUF Running Back #4
    That could be very interesting news for James Cook’s value in PPR leagues. Cook caught 33 passes last year and has broken 40 catches once in four seasons. Ty Johnson has been the team’s third-down back for most of the last two years when healthy, but probably won’t get enough receptions for this to make him more fantasy-interesting.

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  • BAL Wide Receiver #6
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    ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Ravens WR Ja’Kobi Lane (wrist) is “good to go” and should be activated for Week 6 against the Browns.

    While nothing is official yet, Lane practiced in full all week, which is another good sign for his availability against the Browns this weekend. Lane was one of the most impressive rookies this offseason and preseason. Rashod Bateman isn’t on the injury report, but missed practice during the week with a shoulder. Lane could conceivably operate as the second option in the Ravens passing game behind Zay Flowers as early as this week.
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    Commanders beat writer Ben Standig reports RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) isn’t expected to play in Week 6 against the 49ers.

    Croskey-Merritt has dealt with a groin injury all season despite playing in the Commanders’ first five games. He missed multiple practices this week and will now get two weeks off with missing the game against the 49ers ahead of Washington’s bye week. For now, expect Rachaad White and Austin Ekeler to handle the majority of the backfield touches for the Commanders.
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    The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reports the Chargers have rejected trade calls and aren’t planning a fire sale.

    According to Pelissero, teams have called Chargers GM Joe Hortiz, but he’s not interested in potential trade offers despite Los Angeles’ 0-5 record. The Chargers have one game left before their bye week and if they lose to the 4-0 Chiefs, falling to 0-6, this could all change. For now, the Chargers GM doesn’t want to deal, but trade calls on veteran players aren’t going to stop without a massive turnaround. Pelissero mentions Khalil Mack, Bud Dupree, Daiyan Henley, Donte Jackson, Denzel Perryman, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Tuli Tuipulotu as potential trade candidates in the final year of their contracts with the Chargers. He adds that he wouldn’t be surprised if teams that need running back or receiver help call about Keaton Mitchell, Kimani Vidal, and Quentin Johnston.
  • GB Defensive End #1
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    The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reports Packers EDGE Micah Parsons (knee) still isn’t practicing.

    The Packers play the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football on NBC and Peacock in Week 6, but Parsons still isn’t practicing. According to Pelissero, it’s unlikely the 27-year-old defensive end plays before Green Bay’s matchup with the Patriots in Week 9 at the earliest. The Packers’ defense has certainly struggled without Parsons, but they have enough offensive firepower to win shootouts, which only adds to the fantasy floor for Jordan Love and Green Bay’s skill players.
  • IND Wide Receiver #14
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    The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reports Colts WR Alec Pierce (heel) is still a few weeks away from a return to game action.

    No surprise here. Pierce shed his cast earlier this week, but there was also a report from the Athletic’s James Boyd that he “didn’t get the sense” Pierce was close to a return. Pelissero reports that Pierce isn’t expected to return to practice next week when he’s eligible. It’s difficult to justify holding Pierce in leagues without IR spots given the circumstances.
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    The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reports there’s “optimism” Baker Mayfield (thumb) will return in Week 7 against the Panthers.

    Mayfield didn’t practice this week, but according to Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles he threw on Monday and was pushing to play before his “thumb swelled up on him.” It seems like Mayfield is trending in the right direction and that he could return against the Panthers in Week 7 if the swelling is no longer an issue. Jalon Daniels is starting for Tampa Bay again in Week 6 against the Steelers.
  • PHI Quarterback #1
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    ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Eagles aren’t planning to place QB Jalen Hurts (blood clot) on injured reserve.

    While Hurts still has no timetable to return, the Eagles haven’t even discussed the possibility of placing him on injured reserve, according to Schefter. That could change as there’s still a possibility Hurts could wind up on injured reserve if that’s where the medical information leads them. Most blood clots are treated with anticoagulants (blood thinners), which would sideline Hurts for a minimum of six weeks, according to Schefter’s sources. The best-case scenario, according to Schefter, seems to be if the blood clot is minor enough that doctors could begin treatment with anti-inflammatories. Two team doctors that Schefter polled also speculated that the 28-year-old quarterback could miss six weeks. Tanner McKee is in line to start at least a few games while Hurts is out.
  • NE Wide Receiver #1
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    ESPN’s Ian Rapoport reports the Patriots will likely activate WR A.J. Brown (ankle) to play against the Jets in Week 6.

    Brown returned to practice this week after going on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain. While nothing is official yet, it’s a great sign that Rapoport is anticipating a return for the 29-year-old wide receiver in Week 6 against the Jets. Brown may not play a full complement of snaps in his first game back, but is still essentially a must-start for fantasy managers.
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    Titans CEO Burke Nihill said the organization fully believes in coach Robert Saleh and general manager Mike Borgonzi.

    The Titans are 0-5 and have won only three games since Borgonzi joined the team prior to the 2025 season. Despite this, Nihill told ESPN’s Turron Davenport that he feels a “sense of stability” in the organization. Davenport, in turn, notes that the Titans “have fired a coach or general manager every year since 2022.” Nihill apologized to Titans fans, saying ownership and team executives feel “a sense of grief” about the endless losses, and “feel the sense of responsibility to deliver” for fans moving forward. We wish them luck.
  • CHI Quarterback #18
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    Caleb Williams (hamstring) posted a video to social media indicating he will play in Week 6 against the Falcons.

    Normally, social media posts don’t count for much. However, earlier today, Bears coach Ben Johnson said that the Bears should have more clarity on Williams’ status by the end of the day, after the medical team put Williams through “the final stress tests” in his return-to-play program. We are inferring that Williams’ social media post suggests he passed the final medical testing, though we have not officially received word that this is indeed the case. For now, we tentatively expect Williams to play on Sunday. He can be treated as a mid-to-low QB1.