Bills

Bills RB James Cook watched from the sideline at practice, citing “business” as the reason he isn’t on the field. Meanwhile, GM Brandon Beane said that Cook’s plan was “not something they were fully aware of until shortly before practice” and that he hopes to have Cook on the field sooner rather than later.

“At the end of the day, I wish we weren’t here,” Beane said, via Sal Capaccio of WGR. “This is my ninth season and have never had a player miss practice due to a contract, so it’s disappointing for me.”

• Beane on the current contract stalemate with Cook: “At the end of the day I don’t think you can just make a cold, hard decision that you either do or don’t pay running backs. You always try to find the sweet spot….we tried to get something done, but both sides have to agree.” (Sal Cappacio)
• Bills WR Khalil Shakir has a high ankle sprain and will be week to week, while OL Spencer Brown and LB Terrel Bernard will be limited. (Sal Capaccio)
• Bills HC Sean McDermott noted that CB Maxwell Hairston will be behind when he returns from injury, which is unavoidable. (Chris Brown)
• Bills S Taylor Rapp was also held out with a knee injury. (Joe Buscaglia)

Dolphins

Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle has gotten the most looks from QB Tua Tagovailoa so far during training camp, but Waddle notes that there are a lot of playmakers on the team aside from himself.

“I think Tua’s just playing what he sees. Trying my best to get open throughout the routes. He’s seeing me, try to hit me. Like I said, we got a lot of weapons, not just focused on me,” Waddle said, via Pro Football Talk. “We’ve got a lot of playmakers. So the amount of playmakers that we have, it makes it much easier to play on Sundays. Having the defense have to defend not just me and Cheetah, but have weapons in the backfield and the tight end.”

Jets

Patriots

Patriots WR Ja’Lynn Polk struggled as a rookie after being a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, recording just 12 receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns. Polk said he’s turned the page on last year and believes there’s great energy around the team under new HC Mike Vrabel.

“I don’t even think about last year,” Polk said, via Mark Daniels of MassLive. “We’ve got a new staff, new team. The energy is great around here. I’m here now.”

Polk missed some time earlier in New England’s offseason program with an injury, but Vrabel praised the receiver for his effort to return.

*“A player that worked extremely hard to get back and to be ready to go and I feel like, just my first year with Jim [Whalen] and his staff and Frank [Piraino] and our return to play and the way that we can do their rehab and then transfer over to...