Bills HC Joe Brady Vows There Will Be Consequences for RB James Cook

There aren’t many flaws with Buffalo Bills running back James Cook, but the one that sticks out is seemingly becoming a major issue.

Cook, who ranks third in the NFL in rushing this season (532 yards) and led the league in rushing last year (1,621 yards), has been putting the ball on the ground quite a bit through Buffalo’s first five games.

The 27-year-old Cook has fumbled an NFL-high four times this year, including twice in Monday’s 37-34 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams. His last one nearly cost the Bills the game.

Cook fumbled six times last year, and his 11 fumbles in his last 23 games (including the playoffs) is beginning to frustrate head coach Joe Brady, who hinted if he keeps it up, Cook could see his playing time suffer.

“Right now, we’re putting the ball in harm’s way,” Brady said. “And the way that we lose football games is we turn the ball over. Our two best players turned the ball over last night, and James has put the ball on the ground. Look, he’s doing some good things running the football.

“And I don’t want to lose sight of how great he’s running the ball right now. But putting the ball on the ground — it’s negating all the positives. And I have all the confidence in him, that’s why I put him back out there. But at some point there has to be consequences when we’re putting negative stuff out there.

“So, (those are) conversations we’re having that are ongoing, and James knows it’s important to him. That can’t happen, and it’s going to cost us football games. … We can’t confuse because we won the game that that’s OK.”

If Brady does reduce Cook’s workload as punishment, the Bills will likely give more touches to backup Ray Davis, who rushed for 275 yards and added 10 catches for 86 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Buffalo also has Ty Johnson and Frank Gore Jr., who could both see a few more carries per game as well.