ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- James Cook returned to practice Tuesday amid his contract dispute with the Buffalo Bills, appearing to at least pause the star running back's hold-in.
Cook was in full uniform and fully participated throughout the session. He did not participate in the last four days of practice that took place over the last week and missed Buffalo's first preseason game. He did, however, warm up with the team before preseason game.
Bills coach Sean McDermott said he expected Cook to return to practice earlier Tuesday, adding that "things have changed."
"We've had conversations with James," McDermott said. "Good conversations, as I've mentioned before, and the information that we're getting is that he is moving in the direction of practicing today.
McDermott declined to answer whether Cook's hold-in is officially over. Cook also declined to speak to reporters after practice Tuesday. He last spoke with a small group of media on the first day he sat out of practice, Aug. 3, saying he didn't participate because of "business." Cook's agents did not immediately return ESPN's request for comment.
"As players, we have to separate sometimes the business and the sport," Bills quarterback Josh Allen said after practice. "I know both sides thought that what they're doing is the right thing. Obviously, we're very happy to have [Cook] out there today, and I trust in [general manager Brandon] Beane and what he's going to get done. And we're just very happy that he's out there with us right now."
Cook, 25, took the field in full uniform Saturday and participated in pregame warmups for Buffalo's preseason opener against the New York Giants but did not play in the game.
Cook had participated in the first eight days of training camp practice and the Bills' three days of mandatory minicamp. He said after his first practice holding in that he didn't practice because of "business," a change from his previously stated stance of participating through the negotiations.
The Bills have maintained that they wanted to pay Cook throughout the offseason, with negotiations beginning early in the offseason. But the sides have been unable to come to an agreement on a new deal with the fourth-year running back entering the final year of his rookie deal.
"At the end of the day, I wish we weren't here," Beane said on WGR550 last week. "This is my ninth season here. We've never had a player miss due to a contract or anything like that, so that's disappointing for me. It's not something we want."
The Bills extended three other members of the 2022 draft class this offseason -- cornerback Christian Benford, linebacker Terrel Bernard and receiver Khalil Shakir -- in addition to defensive end Greg Rousseau.
Cook is Buffalo's lead running back, but part of a group. He was on the field for just over 45% of offensive plays last year, with Ty Johnson often coming in on late downs and Ray Davis also getting some opportunities.
Part of a Bills offense that broke a variety of records, Cook tied a team record with 16 rushing touchdowns (O.J. Simpson) in 2024 and was fifth in yards before contact per rush (3.1). He took a significant step forward during the 2024 season, doubling his total touchdowns from the previous two seasons of his career (nine) in one year (18).