The Bills' preseason opener against the Giants on Saturday served as an interesting litmus test in regards to running back James Cook. Cook has been seeking a new deal from Buffalo during training camp and recently raised the stakes by refusing to participate in practice. Whether he'd play in the preseason opener would be further indicative of how Cook plans to operate going forward.
It turns out he is quite willing to withhold his services this preseason. Cook was present and even warmed up ahead of the game but did not play a down. Head coach Sean McDermott was asked about it after New York beat the Bills, 34-25, and detailed a conversation he had with the Pro Bowl running back in which Cook agreed to warm up but not play.
