Training camps have kicked off around the NFL, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. The Buffalo Bills' camp is taking place in Pittsford, New York, and Bills reporter Alaina Getzenberg has the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and of course the quarterback room.
What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at camp. We will file the latest updates. Who are the breakout players to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?
Let's get into it all, and be sure to keep checking back for more information until the first full week of the preseason begins Thursday.
Latest news from Bills camp
Seeking deal, Cook sits out Bills' practice: 'Just business'
Maxwell Hairston avoids serious knee injury, source confirms
Wednesday, Aug. 6
Running back James Cook continued his hold in for a third straight day of practice. It was the first day that Cook did not make any appearance during the session. On Sunday, he was on the field with the team through practice, he made a brief appearance on Monday and the team was off on Tuesday. Cook remains on campus and is continuing to talk with the team.
Both Cook and the Bills have stated that they would like him to be with the team long-term, but the two sides haven't been able to come to agreement as his time away from practice extends.
"[Cook's absence] doesn't [impact the preparation for the season]," Brady said. "Look, I think at some point it will maybe get to a point. But [Cook], Beane, all those guys, they kind of handle it. Right now, we're really on a day-to-day process. ... So I find out tomorrow, hey, Jimbo's going, I can focus on this. I find it's two weeks, whenever that time comes, like I said, we'll adjust, we'll be ready to go."
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Safety Damar Hamlin hosted a CPR and Agility clinic with his Chasing M's Foundation and The Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation on the team's off day on Tuesday -- Hamlin's own sudden cardiac arrest event was on January 2, 2023. Hamlin gave Bills owner Terry Pegula a signed and framed jersey, while Pegula shared some about his experience with his wife, Kim, experienced sudden cardiac arrest in June 2022. "My owner coming out and solidifying the things that I do, the work that I do, and not only my community that I came from and the community that I play for, but also across the world really, truly just solidifies all my work," Hamlin said. "So, that's what I'm shooting for."
The Bills signed DE Justin Hollins and LB Jimmy Ciarlo, while designating 2022 seventh-round pick Baylon Spector as waived/injured due to a calf injury suffered on Tuesday. Spector has dealt with a variety of injuries during his time with the team.
RT Spencer Brown returned to team drills for the first time in camp and shared that he played more snaps than the team had planned for the day coming off being cautious with his back soreness. He returned to the practice field overall on Aug. 3.
Tight end Dalton Kincaid had a nice day, including a touchdown catch from quarterback Josh Allen that ended with the typical tight end celebrations.
Rookie CB Dorian Strong picked off QB Shane Buechele and ran it back.
DT Deone Walker (illness), CB Dane Jackson (excused, personal), linebacker Dorian Williams (calf) and nickel corner Taron Johnson (vet rest) all returned to practice. Williams and Johnson did not participate in team drills.
Bills owner Terry Pegula attended Damar Hamlin's Chasing M's Foundation CPR and Agility clinic today with DICK's. More to come from the event. pic.twitter.com/uGjpt1Xm66
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) August 5, 2025
Camp recap: Who has been your standout performer of camp?
CB Christian Benford. The Bills have dealt with plenty of injuries, so to make this, all the candidates had to participate in every day of camp.
Benford, who received a four-year contract extension this offseason, came into camp as the team's clear cut No. 1 cornerback and he's looked every bit the part throughout training camp.
Benford has made a variety of standout plays. He's also shown his leadership, including continuing his post-practice tradition of working with other corners after things wrap up. Coming off his best season, Benford has reminded why the Bills rewarded him this offseason.
Camp recap: What is the biggest question to answer for your team in preseason games?
How do these final roster spots sort themselves out?
Out of the 53 players that will make up the Bills' 53-man roster, very few slots are up for grabs. The three preseason games and the joint practice with the Chicago Bears next week will go a long way in determining some of those question marks.
Key spots to watch include backup quarterback, if the team keeps six receivers and backup linebacker.
Monday, Aug. 4
Injuries have played a significant role in the Bills' training camp, resulting in certain players getting more playing time and more snaps with the first-team offense or defense.
Some of the beneficiaries are in the wide receiver room, where Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel and Kaden Prather are not practicing, and Joshua Palmer has not returned to team drills. Kristian Wilkerson is popping in practices and getting significant playing time, showing just how the coaching staff feels about him.
Also making a big return is Tyrell Shavers, who suffered an ankle injury a little more than a week ago but made his presence felt at Monday's closed practice. In the red zone period, he caught a pass from Josh Allen in the back of the end zone mid-stride and tapped his feet in the end zone as he fell to the ground. A big celebration ensued. Allen targeted Shavers multiple times, including one tricky play that he had a chance to make with Tre'Davious White in tight coverage.
Shavers received high praise from coach Sean McDermott when he originally went out with his injury.
"We want to see him. ... He's a hard guy to stop just in terms of his heart, his desire," McDermott said.
Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky noted the group of receivers that he often works with, including Shavers and Wilkerson along with Stephen Gosnell, Jalen Virgil and Deon Cain, as making plays and doing the extra work to improve, including before and after practice.
"It's a blessing that [Shavers] get the opportunity," cornerback Christian Benford said Monday. "Like he's getting that chance. He's seizing the moment. And it's a blessing to see that, because you see your brother put so much time in, and the opportunity comes ... [to] fruition."
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The Bills signed interior offensive lineman Dan Feeney after a tryout and released offensive lineman Rush Reimer. The team is dealing with injuries at offensive line with Alec Anderson and Sedrick Van Pran-Granger still out. DE Kameron Cline was also waived.
LB Baylon Spector left practice early with a calf injury suffered during team drills. The Bills had two linebackers in for tryouts on Monday -- Amare Barno and Justin Hollins. Shaq Thompson and Dorian Williams remain out with injuries.
Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich on adjusting to the injuries: "As far as we're concerned on defense, we play defense one way. That's full speed, when we're allowed to be physical, it's going to be physical. And next man up, I've said it for years, next guy in, we prided ourselves on that. And, every coach, including myself, has to adjust. Like, today, had to adjust some things. Just, you know, A, to get us schematically some things we need and to shuffle some pieces around. So, yeah. You know, we just adjust, and our standard's our standard."
CB Dane Jackson has been excused from the last two practices for personal reasons. DT Deone Walker missed practice with an illness, while nickel corner Taron Johnson had a vet rest day.
DB Cam Lewis is the backup nickel and continues to show his versatility and why the team feels strongly about him at practice.
Sunday, Aug. 3
Sunday marked the 100th birthday of former Bills coach Marv Levy, a Pro Football Hall of Famer. He was honored in Canton during the Hall of Fame's induction ceremony, with the crowd singing, "Happy Birthday." Many of Levy's former players were in attendance as Thurman Thomas led the call to sing to him.
Levy coached the Bills from 1986 to 1997, leading them to four straight Super Bowls from 1990 to 1993. He had a 112-70 regular-season record with the team and went 11-8 in the playoffs.
"Ah man, just, he means the world to me," coach Sean McDermott said Sunday. "He means the world to a lot of people. What he's done, what he's accomplished in Buffalo. He's a true man, and I have a ton of respect for him and admiration for him as a coach, certainly, but also him as a person."
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Defensive end AJ Epenesa had a nice day of practice, intercepting quarterback Josh Allen on a pass that came almost directly to Epenesa. He also appeared to bat down an Allen pass in a later team period. Linebacker Baylon Spector also came down with an interception of Allen.
Due to the number of injuries the Bills are dealing with, plenty of players are getting increased opportunities. Standouts include wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson, who has received a lot of snaps with the first-team offense, and linebacker Joe Andreessen, who is getting work at middle linebacker.
McDermott on whether Allen will play in the first preseason game Saturday: "Yeah, we'll see. Still working through that. We'll see where that goes."
The Bills worked out four interior offensive linemen after practice Sunday: C Dan Feeney, C Nick Harris, G Lecitus Smith and G Keaton Sutherland.
Friday, Aug. 1
The Bills practiced under the lights at a festive stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Friday night in the annual "Return of the Blue and Red" practice and second-year wide receiver Keon Coleman stood out for a variety of reasons. Quarterback Josh Allen did not participate in team drills, so the quarterbacking for the first-team offense was split between Mitchell Trubisky and Mike White as the backup quarterback competition continues.
Coleman started the night with two drops, including one during 11-on-11 drills on a pass from Trubisky that bounced off his hands.
But Coleman made a comeback with multiple impressive grabs in the team period, including one where he beat cornerback Christian Benford on a rep and made a catch in tight coverage. Coleman also made two standout catches on the same drive, both with cornerback Dane Jackson in coverage.
"You don't move on [from the drops]," Coleman said after practice. "That s--- still pissing me off, but it's just, you got to make the next play. You got to go on. But I keep it in the back of my head. I got anger problems when it comes to that. So, you don't drop it. That's the only thing you can get over. You go, keep going."
The up and downs mirror Coleman's career and training camp thus far with some highlight reel plays that show just what he is capable of and then other moments when he does not put together the details or falls short of completing the plays. Working to reduce the plays lead to frustration will be important for Coleman's development.
So about that red helmet not coming out until Week 18... pic.twitter.com/n9N1iQ3Uj7
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) August 1, 2025
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Allen wore the team's throwback red helmet to practice. He has a tradition of wearing a special helmet to the annual practice at the stadium, but this time, he was actually able to keep it on during practice as it is a helmet the team will wear for their final regular season game at the current stadium in Week 18 vs. the New York Jets.
While kicker Tyler Bass was out trying some kicks before practice (he's been dealing with pelvic area soreness and missed the last three practices), the team had a special player take the kicks during team drills -- running back Ray Davis. The second-year back told "everybody, whoever wanted to listen," that he was a high school kicker and showed them a video of him making a 57-yard kick. Davis hadn't kicked since high school, and got some warmup. He then proceeded to miss his first wide left, but make his next two attempts. "I was always telling them, 'Hey, if we ever need a guy, I can be that backup guy,'" Davis said. "But it was fun to come out here and do it. Hopefully you'll see me during the season."
WR Khalil Shakir and LB Shaq Thompson both left practice early with athletic trainers. OL Mike Edwards was down on the ground for a bit after a play during the 11-on-11 period, but returned to practice.
TE Dawson Knox did not participate in the team period. WRs Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore continued to take steps forward in increasing their workload.
CB Tre'Davious White. LB Matt Milano and DE Joey Bosa had veteran rest days. LB Terrel Bernard (hamstring) and LB Dorian Williams also remained out, and with Thompson's injury, Joe Andreessen (MLB) and Baylon Spector (WLB) got significant first-team reps.
Other players still not participating include RT Spencer Brown, OL Alec Anderson, OL Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, CB Maxwell Hairston, WR Kaden Prather, WR Curtis Samuel and S Cole Bishop.
Thursday, July 31
With the news that rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston (right LCL sprain) will miss time, the challenge now turns to keeping the first-round pick progressing while he is unable to perform on the field. Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said that while it's hard to simulate game speed and the physicality it brings, they'll have a plan for bringing Hairston along.
"It's tough, but the NFL is not worried about us and trying to get him caught up," Babich said. "So, we're going to do everything we can to make sure he's ready to go and can perform. Certainly, we've got to be creative in the ways we go about it, but between [safeties coach] Joe Dana, [cornerbacks coach] Jahmile Addae [and] myself, we'll definitely have a plan, and we'll do the best we can to get him ready to go."
A player who Babich noted as being expected to play more snaps with Hairston's absence is rookie Dorian Strong, a sixth-round pick.
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Tight end Dawson Knox (hamstring) participated in his first training camp practice after coming into camp on the non-football injury list. Knox shared after practice that his injury took place on his last day running separately from the team, on the last 20 yards of his final sprint. "We were doing curved strides and on the last probably 10 steps just felt a little tweak, just enough to where I had to call [head athletic trainer Nate Breske]," Knox said. "Get up here as fast as I could and make sure we're rehabbing it the right way." Knox, who didn't participate in team drills, said he had been itching to get back on the field and that it was an injury they didn't want to rush.
Wide receiver Keon Coleman has caught a couple nice balls as of late, including one from Josh Allen during 7-on-7 drills.
With injuries at linebacker, veteran Shaq Thompson has spent time with the first-team defense. He is a player to keep an eye on and has emerged as a serious roster candidate.
Wide receivers Tyrell Shavers (ankle) and Elijah Moore (leg soreness) also returned to practice after missing two days but didn't do team drills. Receiver Kristian Wilkerson was the beneficiary of the injuries, getting snaps with the first-team offense. Defensive tackles DeWayne Carter and Larry Ogunjobi and offensive lineman Mike Edwards also returned. Receiver Joshua Palmer sat out the team drills after talking to athletic trainers following a rep. It's unclear what his injury is.
Bills offensive lineman Alec Anderson had his left knee scoped after leaving practice early Monday. He is considered week-to-week. Anderson is a key piece of the Bills offense as the sixth offensive lineman, playing in 26.9% of the team's offensive snaps last season.
Safety Cole Bishop (quad) missed practice after sitting out Tuesday's session early. Safety Damar Hamlin has been with the first-team defense, alongside Taylor Rapp, in Bishop's place.
Starting right tackle Spencer Brown (back) worked to the side for the first time during camp. He remains on the physically unable to perform list. Other players not participating in practice because of injuries were LBs Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams, WRs Curtis Samuel and Kaden Prather, OL Sedrick Van Pran-Granger and K Tyler Bass. And there were vet rest days for LT Dion Dawkins, DE Greg Rousseau and DT DaQuan Jones.
RT Spencer Brown (back) working to the side for the first time in camp. LB Dorian Williams (calf) over on the side field with him. pic.twitter.com/uFi3Cr2wVy
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) July 31, 2025
Tuesday, July 29
Bills rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston suffered what teammate Dane Jackson described as a "non-contact" injury to his lower right leg during a "kind of little freak, little trip-up" situation during individual drills in the first half of Tuesday's practice. The first-round pick had his arm over head athletic trainer Nate Breske's shoulders as he limped slowly to the medical tent. He did not return to practice and there has been no update on the situation.
Hairston was practicing with the cornerbacks on the side field, where the defense goes during individual drills. Hairston laid on the ground while Breske worked on his right leg near his knee. He was then helped up by Breske with cornerbacks Christian Benford and Tre'Davious White coming over to speak to him and hug Hairston before he was supported off.
"I was upset, because that's somebody that's like a pure-hearted kid, somebody that you work with off the field so much, you put in so much time with 'em and then they fall like that, something happen to 'em," Benford said. "... You never want that to happen. You never want to see that happen. You don't even pray that on your worst enemies."
The defensive backs shared that a prayer was said for Hairston after practice. The rookie has been competing with White for the starting job next to Benford. White has received first-team reps during camp thus far.
DC Bobby Babich came to check on him. Now walking off with Breske pic.twitter.com/qmRdhtiGOs
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) July 29, 2025
The Bills are dealing with an onslaught of injuries with a much-needed off day on Wednesday. One positive was tight end Dalton Kincaid returning after missing one day with left knee soreness. Kincaid said his knee is "feeling good" and they were "being cautious" with it being early in camp.
Some new players missing from practice due to injuries were offensive lineman Mike Edwards (heat related), WR KJ Hamler (heat related), OL Alec Anderson (knee), and DT DeWayne Carter (illness). DT Larry Ogunjobi had a veteran rest day.
S Cole Bishop went into the medical tent during practice and while he returned to the field, he did not again take part in team drills.
LB Matt Milano has put together a strong camp overall coming off consecutive seasons of significant injuries. He intercepted QB Josh Allen during 11-on-11 drills.
White has made a couple nice plays in recent practices, including a pass breakup on a ball intended for wide receiver Joshua Palmer. Palmer had a bit of a step on him, but White got his arm in the right spot.
Undrafted free agent WR Stephen Gosnell was among the players receiving opportunities with others out due to injury, and his day included a long catch on a ball from Allen in the end zone. He spiked the ball in celebration.
Monday, July 28
Injuries are piling up early in camp for the Bills. Coach Sean McDermott listed 11 players as not participating in Monday's training camp practice due to injury. Among the players now dealing with injury are tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee soreness) and kicker Tyler Bass (pelvis area soreness) after some missed kicks on Sunday. Kincaid was out at a portion of practice with a wrap on his left leg after he dealt with a left knee injury that impacted him late last season. It's unclear if this injury is related to the previous one, but it's something to monitor.
Monday was also the team's first camp practice in pads -- ending cleanly, with no dirty plays. Such a feat was emphasized by McDermott after a couple of dicey moments in earlier sessions, including offensive lineman Alec Anderson being removed from Friday's practice due to a fight.
"I want to see nasty, physical football, but I don't want to see a disrespect for a man's career and dirty football," McDermott said. "That's not how we play in Buffalo. So we painted a pretty clear picture this morning of what that looks like for the new players in particular. So that nastiness has to be developed here, but it can't be at the expense of someone's career. So clean, but physical."
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Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi said the defense had been ready for contact and while there are things to clean up from the first day in pads, "I think we're right on track."
Anderson went to the medical tent during practice. He was gesturing to his lower body with athletic trainers. A couple other players received treatment due to the heat, including OL Mike Edwards.
CB Christian Benford continues to put together strong days, consistently showing why the Bills signed him to a contract extension this offseason. Among his impressive reps in 1-on-1 drills was when WR Khalil Shakir had appeared to catch a well-thrown ball from QB Josh Allen, however, Benford knocked it out of his hands as he tried to complete the play. Benford also got into it a bit verbally with the talkative KJ Hamler when they went up against each other, but nothing came of the back and forth. The pair have a good relationship, working against each other often.
McDermott said that WR Tyrell Shavers will "be back in a couple days, I believe, if everything goes as planned," after suffering a low right ankle injury on Sunday that looked significant but ended up being relatively on the minor side
Sunday, July 27
The Bills finished Sunday's practice with a red zone period, and on the final play, wide receiver Tyrell Shavers made a touchdown catch with rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston in coverage. Hairston made slight contact with Shavers at the end of the play. Shavers rolled to the ground and then was visibly in pain, grabbing his right ankle. Athletic trainers quickly surrounded Shavers with much of the team joining as he was evaluated. Shavers was taken off the field on the back of a cart. A source said that Shavers is "doing fine" and has a low ankle sprain.
"[Shavers] ran an under shallow route," Hairston said. "That's just us competing. Me being a corner, not trying to allow the receiver to catch the ball."
Shavers, who was on the team's practice squad last season, was putting together a strong camp, competing for a 53-man roster spot. Hairston said that cornerbacks coach Jahmile Addae communicated with him after the play to "just be smart. We know we're in practice, but at the end of the day we're competing, but this our teammates. Just to be smart on the finish."
Wide receiver injuries are among the early camp themes. Curtis Samuel missed practice with a hamstring injury. Samuel started Friday's practice participating but then sat out a good amount of the session. Receiver Elijah Moore is also dealing with general leg soreness.
Linebacker Terrel Bernard also missed Sunday's practice with a hamstring injury.
Nickel corner Taron Johnson had a veteran rest day.
DE AJ Epenesa (ankle) returned to practice on Sunday after missing a couple days.
Friday, July 25
Ahead of Buffalo Bills practice on Friday, defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said that "in two days we have one takeaway -- which we are not happy with." Babich was also wearing a hat with the phrase, "Take It Away" on the front.
Starting safety Taylor Rapp changed that in a big way with an interception during 7-on-7 drills off quarterback Josh Allen and another off Allen during the team period.
"[Rapp's] gonna lay his body out," cornerback Tre'Davious White said. "As you guys can see, he don't give a damn. He's gonna hit, he's gonna talk and he's gonna be there each and every play. Definitely a resilient guy."
Free agent addition defensive end Michael Hoecht noted that it is still early in camp and limitations on what defenders can do make turnovers at this time difficult, however, emphasized there are no excuses. And for a Bills team that was third in the league in takeaways last season, "[Takeaways are] going to be an emphasis and it'll be an emphasis the entire season," Hoecht said.
Three new players did not participate in Friday's practice -- DE AJ Epenesa (ankle), LB Dorian Williams (calf) and WR David White Jr. (excused for personal reasons). Epenesa and Williams left practice early the day prior. Both were in attendance at the sessions with Williams wearing a short boot on his right foot.
OL Alec Anderson left practice early after being involved in the first skirmish of camp with DE Hayden Harris.
WR Curtis Samuel did not participate in a good portion of practice after starting the day participating. He spent time talking to athletic trainers.
The backup right tackle competition continues with Spencer Brown sidelined with a back injury. Tylan Grable and Ryan Van Demark are exchanging periods with Grable often getting the first first-team reps.
Thursday, July 24
Through two days, the presence of "Hard Knocks" is visible all over training camp and has certainly been noted by players and coaches. Quarterback Josh Allen, who is watching some of what he says, said he'll "try not to cuss as much. I mean, I know it's HBO, so I'm sure it goes on there. At the same time, you know, just making sure that, you know, my mom, anything that I say my mom would be OK with it."
Left tackle Dion Dawkins has welcomed the extra attention the show will bring when it premiers on Aug. 5, saying on Thursday that he loves having the cameras around.
Coach Sean McDermott also noted the positives of bringing the extra attention in. "They see us on game day, now they get a chance to see that what we do on Sunday is exactly what we do Monday through Saturday," McDermott said. "And I think that's the cool piece about it. The increased noise, if you will, is maybe in some ways good practice for us to really hone in and focus and get our focus where it needs to be."
DE AJ Epenesa and LB Dorian Williams left practice early with injuries. The severity is unclear on both.
Epenesa was also involved in a brief moment when he punched the helmet of rookie tight end Jackson Hawes when Hawes was continuing to push defenders after the completion of a play and with Dawkins having fallen to the ground. There was no retaliation or larger fight from the punch.
Wide receiver Keon Coleman had an improved second day of camp after a tough first day in largely red zone periods. Coleman caught a number of passes in the middle of the field from Allen on an improved day from the offense overall during 11-on-11 periods. His continued progression over a longer stretch is something to monitor.
DE Joey Bosa did not participate in team drills on Thursday as the team works on keeping him healthy for the long haul.
Wednesday, July 23
The Bills' first training camp session notably featured a fully-participating running back James Cook thus continuing his trend from mandatory minicamp. Cook seeks a contract extension as he is in the final year of his rookie deal. General manager Brandon Beane did not provide an update on any negotiations, but re-affirmed the team's "love" towards Cook.
"Sometimes you can't get on the same page or sometimes you're trying to fit it in. There's times guys have left here that we really wanted. We just couldn't make it work. But I can tell you, I'm hopeful, when we're sitting here at next year's training camp that James Cook is out there practicing and still representing the red, white and blue."
Wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. did not participate in practice due to a lower leg strain.
Defensive end Joey Bosa said his calf injury that limited him during the offseason work is "no issue anymore." Bosa added that "I was feeling good weeks ago, so I was able to get a full offseason in and train really hard."
Tuesday, July 22
Bills veterans reported to camp Tuesday ahead of the team's first practice Wednesday. As players underwent physicals, a number of transactions were made. Tight end Dawson Knox was placed on the non-football injury list, while right tackle Spencer Brown and offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran-Granger were placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, meaning all three will miss some practice.
With those injuries in mind, tight end Matt Sokol was signed to the roster, in addition to wide receiver David White Jr., while punter Jake Camarda and wide receiver Kelly Akharaiyi were released. The only punter on the roster is Brad Robbins.
Running back James Cook did report with the team's veterans on schedule as he said he anticipated doing during minicamp. His attendance comes amidst a desire for a contract extension. Cook fully participated in the team's mandatory minicamp.