As the Bills prepare for the Giants in preseason, Josh Allen will sit out while James Cook's contract holdout continues. Get the latest on Buffalo's stars.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
As the dust settles on another intense training camp at St. John Fisher, the Buffalo Bills are facing a split-screen reality. On one side, the team is taking every precaution with its superstar quarterback. On the other, its star running back is nowhere to be seen. The Bills announced Thursday that Josh Allen will sit out the preseason opener against the Giants, while James Cook's contract holdout stretched to a fourth consecutive practice, creating a cloud of uncertainty as the team returns to Orchard Park.
'We desperately want him here with us, and hopefully something can get done.' - Josh Allen on James Cook
The biggest news of the day centered on the Bills' offensive cornerstones. Head Coach Sean McDermott confirmed that Josh Allen will be held out of the preseason opener against the New York Giants, with Mitch Trubisky getting the start. 'He always wants to be out there... but it’s the right thing to do,' McDermott said, prioritizing the health of his franchise QB. Meanwhile, the backfield situation grows more complicated. Running back James Cook missed his fourth straight practice amid a contract dispute. While the business side of the NFL is at play, Allen made the locker room's feelings clear, publicly supporting his teammate and hoping for a swift resolution.
The list of players in the trainer's room is growing uncomfortably long. The Bills now have 11 players on the injury report, including key contributors like receivers Khalil Shakir (ankle) and Curtis Samuel (calf), and safety Taylor Rapp (knee), who is expected to miss about a week. The most immediate concern is at kicker, where Tyler Bass is nursing a pelvis injury. The team is now considering signing a replacement for the preseason game, though backup running back Ray Davis has been floated as an emergency option in a pinch.
Despite the drama, training camp at St. John Fisher produced clear bright spots. Tight end Dalton Kincaid, who leads the team with 104 receiving yards in camp scrimmages, was a model of consistency. But the true star was rookie receiver Keon Coleman. Hailed as a camp surprise, his impact has been so significant that NFL.com recently named him the single most pivotal rookie for the Bills' 2025 season. His size, hands, and immediate chemistry with Allen have Bills Mafia buzzing about the future of the passing attack.
While some headlines focused on who wasn't at practice, Josh Allen made his own statement after the session ended. The quarterback was seen staying late, working with young receivers on routes and then spending significant time signing autographs for fans. It's this type of quiet, lead-by-example action that solidifies his role as the heart of the team and demonstrates a commitment that transcends contracts and depth charts.
With the team heading back to Orchard Park, the focus sharpens on the final roster spots. Thursday's practice was a big stage for practice squad hopefuls on defense, including Paris Shand, Kaeontae Jenkins, and Marcus Harris. These players were highly active, knowing every rep counts as they fight to prove their value ahead of the first wave of cuts.
With camp now in the rearview mirror, the focus shifts to the preseason lights. While Mitch Trubisky will lead the charge against the Giants, all eyes will be on the sidelines. Can the Bills resolve the Cook situation before it becomes a season-long distraction? Can the injured players return to form? And can camp heroes like Keon Coleman translate their practice success into game-day production? The opening act of the 2025 season is here, and it’s already filled with more drama than anyone expected.
