James Cook ($7,200; foot/toe) missed his second straight practice Thursday, putting him in serious jeopardy of missing Monday’s game vs. the Jets.
Cooks has handled 66% of the Bills’ running back carries and logged 56% of the snaps this season, and if he was to sit, Ray Davis ($4,100) and Ty Johnson ($4,200) would be the remaining backs for Buffalo.
Davis operated as Cook’s primary backup in the first four games of the season, but then, out of nowhere last week, it was Johnson who was the No. 2 back behind Cook. In the loss to the Texans, Johnson logged a season-high 34% of the snaps and he tied his season-high in rushes with three carries. Meanwhile, Davis only logged two offensive snaps and he didn’t see any carries, but he caught his lone target.
Both Johnson and Davis will likely see work if Cook sits, but after last week’s discrepancy in usage, one would have to believe Johnson will see the bigger role in that situation. For the season, Johnson is averaging 4.2 yards per carry compared to 2.9 for Davis.
Unfortunately, the Bills are in a difficult spot vs. the Jets on the road. New York is giving up the seventh-fewest yards per rush this season (4.2) and they have allowed the fewet points per game in the league when at home, albeit a limited sample of only two games vs. the Patriots and Broncos.
Both the Bills and Jets are looking to snap two-game losing streaks and this divisional matchup likely won’t produce much scoring. On the DraftKings Sportsbook, this game carries a modest total of 41 points.
If in desperate need of a back, Johnson is possibly worth picking up off waivers if Cook sits, but beware, as the veteran’s upside is rather limited even if he sees an expanded role.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is Hunta512) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
