Buffalo Bills coach Joe Brady says there must be "consequences" for running back James Cook's fumbling problems if they continue, and that those consequences could include fewer carries or reduced playing time. Cook lost a fumble in Monday's 37-34 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams, his second of the game and fourth of the season. He has 11 fumbles since the start of 2025, including the postseason, the most of any non-quarterback over that span despite leading the NFL in rushing yards during the same period.
Brady praised Cook's production but said the turnovers undermine his positive contributions. "Putting the ball on the ground, it's negating all the positive," Brady told reporters Tuesday from the team's hotel outside Los Angeles. "It's going to cost us football games. It almost cost us one. We can't confuse because we won the game that that's OK. It's got to improve or the carries are going to decrease."
The most costly fumble came two minutes into overtime, when Cook lost the ball just outside the red zone. Edge defender Greg Rousseau blocked the Rams' would-be winning field goal, saving the Bills. Brady then called Cook's number on the next play, and Cook carried twice for 3 yards on the winning drive.
Brady also acknowledged a late-game decision he questioned afterward. With the Bills holding a second-and-10 from the L.A. 27-yard line after the two-minute warning, he chose not to run Cook to drain the clock. He said he should have had quarterback Josh Allen kneel twice before attempting the field goal.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing