Ray

Davis

It’s hardly a surprise as Cook angles for a new contract entering the final year of his rookie contract with Buffalo. Bills officials, including general manager Brandon Beane, have dismissed Cook’s unhappiness with his current contract as a distraction. The team seems intent on hanging on to Cook for 2025 following his stellar 2024 campaign, which included nearly 1,300 total yards and 18 touchdowns as the Bills’ No. 1 back. It wouldn’t be a shock if Cook were to hold out during training camp if a deal has not been done. He said in March that he wants $15 million per year. Cook is set to make $5.7 million in 2024.

Rapoport acknowledged that things are “not great” between Cook and the Bills after general manager Brandon Beane said in late March that he didn’t foresee the two sides “getting something done anytime soon” on a contract extension for Cook ahead of his fourth NFL season. Cook, who has back-to-back 1,000 yard rushing seasons and totaled 18 touchdowns in 2024, reportedly put his Buffalo home up for sale after Beane’s comments. In a social media post, Cook requested $15 million per year in a new deal with Buffalo, a steep price for a solid-but-not-spectacular back. Cook’s contract disagreement will likely linger into the summer and could affect his training camp participation if progress is not made in the coming months. Ray Davis would be positioned to see extra run if Cook falls out of favor with the Bills.

A fumble on his second carry likely doomed him for the rest of the game despite Buffalo recovering, with the rookie back finishing with just nine snaps. Davis enters his second season in desperate need of a path to playing time. James Cook is in the final year of his rookie contract and improved exceptionally in his third season. Ty Johnson blocked him from the third-down role as Davis finished the year with just 11 snaps as a pass blocker. Johnson is a free agent, but if the Bills re-sign him or bring in another third-down back, it will be hard to understand Davis’ 2025 upside in fantasy leagues beyond a Cook injury.

Davis fortuitously cleared the NFL’s protocol in time for this one. He was needed to punch in the Bills’ first touchdown via a two-yard run on his team’s first possession. The bruising youngster averaged a team-high 7.3 yards per carry and returned one kickoff for 25 yards. He remains a touchdown-dependent DFS flex option against the Chiefs next week.

The Bills will have their three-deep backfield fully available for this one. Elusive starter James Cook and passing-game specialist Ty Johnson are rightfully locked into their respective roles but the 5-foot-8, 220-pound Davis provides an important physical element to the group. The Bills fortuitously face the Ravens with a largely healthy roster, declaring only QB Mike White (3rd QB), WR Jalen Virgil, OL Ryan Van Demark, OL Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, DT DeWayne Carter, CB Kaiir Elam and KR/PR Brandon Codrington inactive. Codrington is the team’s most notable absence, helpfully averaging 11.6 yards per punt return. Khalil Shakir is expected to fill in for Codrington in that regard.

Davis was limited in all three practices this week. He remains in the league’s concussion protocol but has a chance to clear it over the weekend. If he doesn’t, Ty Johnson, who is already operating as the team’s top back on passing downs, could see more work as the clear backup to James Cook. Davis is the only player with a game status for the Bills.

We’ll see if the team gives Davis additional time to clear protocol, but it’s not a great sign for the rookie’s availability as far as Sunday’s game against the Ravens is concerned. If the Bills don’t rule out Davis on Friday when they release their final injury report, they’ll presumably give him until Saturday to clear protocol before deciding on his availability. We’ll know more on this soon.

According to The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia, Davis was in a non-contact jersey, which is the reason for the limited designation. Still, the rookie has logged limited sessions in both practices this week, and could be trending in a positive direction to be cleared ahead of Sunday’s AFC Divisional Round against the Ravens. We’ll have more clarity on his availability by Friday.

Davis got drilled by Broncos safety Brandon Jones in Buffalo’s Wild Card Round win over Denver. Davis was going for a poor pass by Josh Allen, leaving himself vulnerable to a big hit. A limited session to open the week is a bit of a surprise given the severity of the hit. It gives him a shot at suiting up on Sunday if he can continue to progress through the league’s concussion protocol. Ty Johnson would see more work behind James Cook if Davis can’t suit up.

Davis took a brutal hit from Broncos safety Brandon Jones in the third quarter on a pass that Josh Allen misplaced. Davis will now need to clear protocol in order to play in Sunday’s Divisional Round against the Ravens and Lamar Jackson. If Davis can’t go, Ty Johnson would see an increased role as the change-of-pace back behind James Cook.