James Cook has ended his contract holdout by signing a new extension with the Buffalo Bills worth $15 million annually, rejoining the team ahead of a pivotal season. The Pro Bowl running back returned to practice on Tuesday, confirming his commitment after a summer marked by uncertainty surrounding his contract negotiations.

Cook, 25, was in the final year of his rookie contract and had missed multiple practices while seeking a deal that reflected his value as a key offensive player. His new contract comes after a breakout 2024 season where he scored 18 touchdowns, although his role has often been as a part-time back.

Details of the offseason contract negotiations and Cook’s role

The offseason saw ups and downs for Cook and the Bills, with the running back skipping Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and displaying inconsistent participation during training camp. His quest for a $15 million annual salary initially kept him away from practice for the last four sessions.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott acknowledged progress in talks throughout the holdout, stating,

“I would say that things have changed,”

and affirming that communications with Cook were constructive and moving towards his return to practice. McDermott’s comments highlighted a positive shift in negotiations leading up to Cook’s resumed participation.

With Cook back in the lineup, the Bills maintain a vital weapon for quarterback Josh Allen as they aim to surpass previous seasons and contend seriously for a Super Bowl appearance.

Key updates from around the NFL and other sports

While Cook’s contract story grabbed headlines, several other sports developments unfolded. Pete Alonso set a new Mets record with his 253rd career home run. The Milwaukee Brewers secured their 11th consecutive victory, routing the Pittsburgh Pirates 14-0 with four home runs off Paul Skenes. In basketball, LeBron James offered advice to his son Bryce James before his freshman season at Arizona, while Michael Phelps delivered motivational talks to the Baltimore Ravens alongside Ray Lewis.

Additional updates included insights on the NBA schedule release and Bradley Beal’s decision to join the Clippers. Meanwhile, Packers wide receiver Christian Watson continues to recover steadily from an ACL injury, described as “ahead of the curve.” Jon Gruden also scored a significant legal win when the Nevada Supreme Court ruled his case against the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell cannot be compelled to arbitration, a decision the NFL is currently appealing.

In college football, John Talty explored quarterback Ty Simpson’s journey to becoming Alabama’s starter, while UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava and Georgia’s wide receivers impressed early in fall camp. The UEFA Super Cup match between PSG and Tottenham also took place, alongside the kickoff of the Little League World Series.

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer denies sports gambling allegations

University of Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has publicly denied accusations of sports gambling that surfaced due to questionable Venmo payment labels. In 2022, when redshirting at Washington State, Mateer sent payments entitled “sports gambling” and “sports gambling (UCLA vs USC)” to a friend, drawing attention since collegiate athletes are prohibited from wagering on sports.

Mateer refuted the allegations, clarifying,

“The allegations that I once participated in sports gambling are false. My previous Venmo descriptions did not accurately portray the transactions in question but were instead inside jokes between me and my friends. I have never bet on sports. I understand the seriousness of the matter, but recognize that, taken out of context, those Venmo descriptions suggest otherwise. I can assure my teammates, coaches, and officials at the NCAA that I have not engaged in any sports gambling.”

The University of Oklahoma is investigating but does not anticipate NCAA involvement. Sources also confirm Mateer has never been flagged for gambling by monitoring agencies. As a significant player for the Sooners, Mateer’s 2023 season will be critical as the team looks to improve under head coach Brent Venables, who faces pressure after a 6-6 campaign and a challenging schedule.

Other notable setbacks and injuries in professional sports

This week has also seen multiple injuries and contract uncertainties affecting players and teams. Travis Kelce acknowledged off-field issues might have influenced his underwhelming 2024 performance. Jordan Love plans to undergo a left thumb procedure with hopes of returning soon. Contract talks between Jauan Jennings and the San Francisco 49ers remain unsettled, while Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor is out for the preseason due to knee surgery.

Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore faces a second consecutive missed season because of a knee injury. College basketball star Caitlin Clark missed her 11th straight game due to a groin injury. Shohei Ohtani and his agent are involved in a lawsuit filed by a Hawaiian real estate investor. The Houston Astros placed closer Josh Hader on the injured list with a shoulder strain, and the Mets demoted pitcher Frankie Montas. Michigan still has not named a starting quarterback, and Oregon wide receiver Jurrion Dickey has been suspended indefinitely.

Evaluations highlight challenges and rookie progress across the NFL

As the NFL preseason progresses, team evaluations continue to shape expectations. Analyst Jared Dubin identified major hurdles for numerous franchises, notably:

• Steelers: Aaron Rodgers remains a significant question mark, both for his on-field performance and his willingness to adhere to team offensive schemes.
• Packers: Questions persist around the wide receiver corps despite drafting Matthew Golden. Challenges involve the potential playing time of Jayden Reed, reliability of Dontayvion Wicks, Christian Watson’s impact upon return, and team chemistry with the addition of new players like Romeo Doubs.
• Cardinals: The offensive strategy was criticized last season for relying heavily on Marvin Harrison Jr. winning contested balls, limiting creativity elsewhere in the aerial attack.

Joint practices remain critical for roster assessment, with performances like J.J. McCarthy’s against the Cleveland Browns drawing attention. Preseason Week 1 has also concluded with grades assessing the progress of first-round rookies, providing early insights into their potential contributions this season.

High anticipation for top college football matchups this season

The arrival of the AP Top 25 poll has intensified excitement for the upcoming college football season. Week 0 features a highly anticipated ranked showdown between No. 22 Iowa State and No. 17 Kansas State. Week 1 promises marquee contests such as No. 1 Texas visiting No. 3 Ohio State, No. 9 LSU taking on No. 4 Clemson, and No. 6 Notre Dame facing No. 10 Miami.

Fall camp updates from Brad Crawford spotlighting key games include a dramatic Sept. 27 matchup between No. 8 Alabama and No. 1 Georgia. Kirby Smart’s record against Alabama stands at 1-6, with last year’s meeting ending in a shootout. Georgia will host Alabama in Athens, marking a rare rivalry contest on home soil. Another notable contest features No. 7 Oregon visiting No. 2 Penn State for a highly anticipated “Whiteout” night game in front of over 106,000 passionate Nittany Lion fans.

The season is expected to bring significant shifts in rankings, with six different teams securing preseason first-place votes, the highest number since 2016. This diversity of contenders points toward a competitive and dynamic college football campaign.

Sports schedule highlights for Wednesday

Wednesday’s sports calendar offers a variety of engaging events across multiple leagues. The Little League World Series begins today, drawing attention from youth sports fans. In Major League Baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates face the Milwaukee Brewers at 2:10 p.m. on MLB Network, followed by the Arizona Diamondbacks at Texas Rangers at 2:35 p.m., also on MLB Network.

Soccer enthusiasts can watch the UEFA Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham at 3 p.m. on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+. Evening MLB matchups include Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees at 7:05 p.m. on Prime Video and Atlanta Braves at New York Mets at 7:10 p.m. on FS1. The WNBA presents Liberty versus Aces at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN. Late-night baseball games feature the Los Angeles Dodgers at Los Angeles Angels at 9:38 p.m. and Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics at 10:05 p.m. on MLB Network.