Payments RB James Cook dinner, searching for extension, sits out once more

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Buffalo Payments working again James Cook dinner didn’t take part in coaching camp follow for a second straight day on Monday as he continues to hunt a contract extension. He is within the closing 12 months of his rookie deal.

Cook dinner briefly appeared on the staff’s follow however not in uniform. As a substitute, he was in exercise gear and a beanie. He walked by the outskirt of the sphere, inside a conveyable rest room after which went again out in direction of the staff’s locker room. Cook dinner didn’t seem at follow for the remainder of the day.

The fourth-year working again didn’t take part in Sunday’s follow however was on the sphere for the whole session. Afterward, Cook dinner, 25, informed reporters that he wasn’t taking part due to “enterprise.” He had beforehand participated in all eight of the staff’s coaching camp practices and the three days of necessary minicamp, however he was not on the staff’s voluntary offseason staff actions.

Payments basic supervisor Brandon Beane mentioned throughout his look on native radio station WGR550 on Monday morning that they didn’t know Cook dinner would not be working towards on Sunday till shortly earlier than follow. On the time of the interview, about two hours earlier than follow on Monday, Beane did not know if Cook dinner could be working towards on Monday.

“On the finish of the day, I want we weren’t right here,” Beane mentioned on WGR550. “That is my ninth season right here. We have by no means had a participant miss resulting from a contract or something like that, in order that’s disappointing for me. It isn’t one thing we would like, not one thing we’re wanting ahead to, however on the finish of the day, like I mentioned earlier, it is sort of, typically might be the best way of the world and so we’ll take care of it the most effective we are able to.”

Beane additionally mentioned on Monday there was “fixed communication” between the Payments and Cook dinner and his staff. Cook dinner’s agent has not returned ESPN’s requests for remark.

The 2 sides haven’t been capable of comply with phrases on an extension for the working again regardless of discussions additionally going down again within the spring. The Payments prolonged three different members of the 2022 draft class this offseason — CB Christian Benford, LB Terrel Bernard and WR Khalil Shakir.

“We obtained loads of the offers executed that we tried, and it is well-known,” Beane mentioned. “We tried to get one thing executed with [Cook] and, sadly, it takes two and each side must agree on what that quantity is and clearly that hasn’t gotten there, however I am not sitting right here saying you do not pay working backs. I feel you simply have to search out what the candy spot is.”

Working backs Ty Johnson and Ray Davis mentioned that they discovered Cook dinner would not be working towards on Sunday once they began follow.

“I respect what he is doing and all the pieces,” Johnson mentioned. “He is attempting to do what’s finest for him. So, on the finish of the day, we’re not on this league for a very long time, so he is attempting to get his and I respect that.”

The Payments have an off day on Tuesday earlier than returning to follow at St. John Fisher College on Wednesday.