James Cook: Everything you need to know

Cook was not present for the start of OTAs on Tuesday, Matt Parrino of Syracuse.com reports. While OTAs are quote unquote "voluntary," it's a notable absence, as the rest of Buffalo's star players and veteran leaders were in attendance for new coach Joe Brady's first open practice session. There's been no reason given for Cook's absence, and he just signed a new four-year, $46 million contract last summer after "holding in" at training camp. Cook, however, has already fallen behind the top of the running back market after De'Von Achane, Kenneth Walker, Breece Hall and Travis Etienne all received bigger deals this offseason. It's possible Cook is looking at that and pushing for more money after leading the league in rushing with 1,621 yards and 12 touchdowns on a career-high 309 carries last regular season. With Cook idle to begin OTAs, Frank Gore and Ray Davis have seen more reps with the first-team offense, according to Parrino.

Cook rushed 24 times for 117 yards and brought in two of three targets for 24 yards in the Bills' 33-30 divisional-round overtime loss to the Broncos on Saturday. He also lost a fumble. Cook put together an impressive day on the ground against an elite defense, finishing with his 10th 100-yard rushing performance since the start of the regular season and bouncing back in noteworthy fashion from his 46-yard effort versus the Jaguars in Sunday's wild-card victory. Cook's second-quarter lost fumble had a significant impact, however, as it came at the Broncos' 30-yard line and eventually led to a Denver touchdown. The disappointing team outcome aside, Cook's productive day Saturday was a fitting cap to a career-best regular season, one where he won the NFL rushing yardage title with 1,621 yards while averaging 5.2 yards per carry, scored 12 rushing touchdowns, and generated a 33-291-2 line on 40 targets while committing six fumbles, losing three, across 17 games.

Cook carried the ball 15 times for 46 yards and caught two of three targets for five yards in the Bills' 27-24 win over the Jaguars during the wild-card round Sunday. After amassing a career-high 1,621 yards during the regular season to secure his first career rushing crown, Cook had trouble finding room to roam against an elite Jags run defense, with his longest gain going for just 11 yards. Not counting a Week 18 contest in which he made only a cameo appearance, it was the first time Cook had been held below 50 yards since Week 11. The Bills won't know who they're playing next until after the weekend's games are over, but Cook is likely to face another tough opponent next weekend, with the Broncos and Texans among their potential divisional-round matchups.