Joe Brady says James Cook’s carries could drop after two fumbles
Bills coach Joe Brady said James Cook must improve his ball security or see fewer carries after two fumbles against the Rams.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
2 min read
Joe Brady says James Cook’s carries could drop if Buffalo’s running back does not solve his fumble problem, even after the Bills escaped with a 37-34 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams.
Cook put the ball on the ground twice in Week 5, including a turnover on Buffalo’s opening possession of overtime. Brady said afterward that he still believes in Cook, but made clear the team will not accept continued giveaways.
“I have all the confidence in him,” Brady said, according to CBS Sports. “That’s why I put him right back out there.” But he added that there must be consequences for negative plays and said Cook’s carries will decrease if the issue does not improve.
Will James Cook lose carries after the Rams game?
No reduction has been announced. Brady described fewer carries as a possible consequence if Cook continues to fumble, rather than confirming a benching or a change for Buffalo’s next game.
The warning followed a wild overtime sequence. CBS Sports reported that Josh Allen hit Khalil Shakir for 57 yards, putting Buffalo in field-goal range. On the next play, Cook lost the ball after Rams linebacker Nate Landman punched it out, with Aaron Donald recovering.
Los Angeles then had a chance to win, but its 48-yard field-goal try was blocked. Buffalo later kicked the winning field goal.
Brady said the turnover concern does not erase Cook’s work as a runner. “He’s doing so many good things running the football,” Brady said, according to CBS Sports, while adding that putting the ball on the ground wipes out much of that positive work.
How many times has James Cook fumbled this season?
Cook had four fumbles through five games, two of them lost, according to The Sporting News’ report carried by Yahoo Sports and a separate Heavy report. The Sporting News also reported that Cook had six fumbles in 2025.
That history gave Brady’s postgame comments extra bite. Buffalo won Monday night, but Brady said the team cannot treat the issue as acceptable because it survived this time.
If Cook’s workload is reduced, CBS Sports reported that Ty Johnson and Ray Davis could receive more opportunities. That remains a possibility, not a decision Buffalo has announced.
- Cook fumbled twice against the Rams.
- His overtime fumble gave Los Angeles a chance to win.
- Brady said Cook has his confidence, but warned that continued fumbles could mean fewer carries.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.