Bills RB James Cook’s Backup Floated as Trade Target After Ashton Jeanty Injury

The Buffalo Bills have a surplus of capable running backs as the deadline for final roster cuts nears, but one standout could become a trade target for a suddenly needy team.

The Las Vegas Raiders face an uncertain future for running back Ashton Jeanty after he suffered what appeared to be a serious injury during the team’s practice on Sunday. While it remains unclear how much time he could miss, some pundits are already scanning Buffalo’s roster for a potential replacement.

SI.com reporter Ezekiel Trezevant reported that Jeanty went down at practice on Sunday, with his teammates apparently fearing a significant injury.

“During practice, Jeanty landed awkwardly while trying to catch a pass,” Trezevant reported. “He stayed down for some time before being helped off the field by trainers, having trouble putting any weight on one leg. As of now, it remains unclear how serious the injury is, but based on his teammates’ reaction, it was not good.”

With the season approaching in a few weeks, some NFL analysts suggested the Raiders could hit the trade block for a replacement. Bills reporter and podcaster Bruce Nolan noted that Buffalo’s roster has a backup running back looking for a bigger role.

“Ray Davis said he wanted more playing time,” Nolan suggested in response to PFF reporter Nathan Jahnke.

Davis has proven that he can excel as a lead running back, but his opportunities in Buffalo have been scarce. He took the lead in a 2024 game against the New York Jets with James Cook out with an injury, taking 20 carries for 97 yards and making another three receptions for 55 yards.

Davis had even fewer opportunities in 2025, with Cook signing a big contract extension and the Bills moving away from splitting carries between him and backups. But Davis did get to take a lead role again in the season finale, with Cook leaving the game after the first drive. Davis took 21 carries for 151 yards and adding two receptions for 23 yards and a receiving touchdown.

The Bills did find an important role for Davis as a kick returner, where he led the NFL with a 30.4-yard average on returns and earned a first-team All-Pro spot.

While Davis was important to the Bills on special teams in 2025, he could have some competition for the backfield depth chart. Undrafted rookie free agent Ian Wheeler has put together strong performances through training camp and the first two preseason games, leading SI.com’s Randy Gurzi to suggest he could make the roster over fellow Cook backup Ty Johnson.

“Johnson, who will turn 29 in September, saw a decline in his numbers this past season,” Gurzi wrote. “His rushing yards per attempt went down from 5.2 in 2024 to 4.0 in 2025. His yardage per reception dipped as well, with Johnson averaging 11.0 yards per catch, down from the 15.8 in 2025.”

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