Multiple Bills insiders believe RB James Cook could take on a bigger passing-game role this season under new OC Pete Carmichael. Carmichael spent 19 of the last 20 seasons working with Sean Payton, whose offenses regularly featured RBs in the passing game, from Reggie Bush to Darren Sproles to Alvin Kamara. Cook has averaged a relatively modest 32.5 catches across his four NFL seasons, including 33 last year.
The Bills are hiring Pete Carmichael as OC, according to multiple reports. Carmichael spent 19 of the last 20 seasons with Sean Payton, first in New Orleans and then in Denver the past two. Bills HC Joe Brady worked under Carmichael as an offensive assistant with the Saints in 2017 and 2018. Brady has already said that he'll continue to call plays in 2026, but we'll see how much Payton flavor Carmichael brings to the offense. Former QB Chase Daniel, who played for the Saints in 2017, expects more play-action passing from the Bills going forward. QB Josh Allen already ranked fifth among 45 qualifying QBs in percentage of dropbacks to feature play action last year. Allen completed 71.7% of his passes at 8.2 yards per attempt off play action, ranking ninth and 15th among those 45 QBs.
Bills OC Joe Brady has been promoted and will take over as head coach. He signed a five-year deal. Brady began his time in Buffalo as the QB coach in 2022 before becoming the interim OC in 2023. He was promoted to full-time OC in 2024 and held that role over the last two seasons. Brady’s close ties with QB Josh Allen likely played a large role in his promotion.
Bills RB Ty Johnson (ankle) is inactive for today's game vs. the Jaguars. He's played a passing-down role throughout the season, averaging 1.9 targets and 1.4 catches per game. Look for RB James Cook to pick up most of that work today.
Bills RB Ty Johnson (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Jaguars. He only got in a limited practice on Friday and is expected to be a game-time decision, HC Sean McDermott said. Johnson has played a small pass-catching role throughout the season, averaging 1.9 targets and 1.4 catches per game. His absence would be a slight boost to RB James Cook's receiving projection.
Buffalo's loss to Philadelphia on Sunday ended the Bills' chances of winning the division. That might be enough to motivate the team to bench starters in the regular-season finale against the Jets.
Bills RB James Cook delivered 107 rushing yards and 2 TDs in Sunday's comeback win over New England. It's a major shock that Cook managed 22 carries, as the Bills fell behind 21-0 in the second quarter. The veteran RB also added a receiving score on 2 catches for 4 yards.
Bills WR Keon Coleman was active against the Steelers after two straight games as a healthy scratch. He went 2-9-1 with the TD coming on a fourth and goal in the back of the end zone. He ranked fourth among WRs on the team with 33 snaps on a run-heavy game for Buffalo.
The forecast for today's Buccaneers-Bills game calls for sustained winds around 20 mph with gusts up to 35. There's a chance for a rain/snow mix, but the wind is the concern here. The over/under on this game has dropped from 48.5 on Thursday to 46.5. We're docking the passing projections on both sides and would avoid the kickers.
Bills RB James Cook struggled to find running room in Sunday’s surprising loss at Miami. Buffalo’s lead back posted just 4.1 yards per carry against a unit that entered as one of the worst run defenses on the season.
Bills RB James Cook (ankle) is not listed on the final Week 10 injury report. He went from no practice on Wednesday to limited on Thursday to full participation on Friday. Cook is in an excellent spot this weekend with the Bills 9.5-point favorites with a 30-point implied total against the Dolphins.
Bills RB James Cook (ankle) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. That's a good sign for his Week 10 availability, but we'll see what he does on Friday and how he's listed on the final injury report for the Dolphins game. RBs Ray Davis and Ty Johnson remain worth stashing if you have the roster space.
Bills RB James Cook did not practice on Wednesday and is on the injury report with foot and ankle injuries. He carried 27 times in the Week 9 win over the Chiefs, including on Buffalo's final offensive snap. So this could be more of a rest day for Cook. But we'll look for further updates on his status and see if he practices tomorrow. RB Ty Johnson has played ahead of RB Ray Davis all season, so we'd project something close to a 50/50 backfield split if Cook ends up missing Sunday's game vs. the Dolphins.
Bills TE Dalton Kincaid posted 100+ yards for the second time over his past three games. Kincaid hit 101 yards vs. the Chiefs, catching all 6 targets while scoring on Josh Allen's only passing TD.
Bills RB James Cook continued his hot start to the 2025 season in Sunday’s win over New Orleans. Cook rushed 22 times for 117 yards and 1 score, giving him at least one TD in all four games.
Bills RB Ty Johnson played well ahead of RB Ray Davis in Thursday night's win over the Dolphins. Johnson out-snapped Davis 15 to 4, playing more on early downs (7 snaps to 3) and third downs (4 to 0). Johnson finished with 3 carries for 13 yards, plus 1 catch on 2 targets for eight yards. Davis didn't record a carry and failed to catch his only target.
RB James Cook carried 21 times for 132 yards and 2 TD as the Buffalo Bills cruised past the hapless New York Jets 30-10. Buffalo relied on their rushing attack, leading to a quiet outing for QB Josh Allen, who threw for only 148 scoreless yards. Allen rushed 6 times for 59 yards in a game where the Bills controlled the clock and rushed for 224 yards and 3 TD.
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