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Bills 2023 training camp preview: Running back

The Buffalo Bills are set to open training camp on July 26. Ahead of that, here is Bills Wire’s preview of the team’s running backs heading into the summer:

Additions

<a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/31919" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Damien Harris;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Damien Harris</a> #37 (Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images)
Damien Harris #37 (Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images)

Subtractions

Bills running back <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/31906" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Devin Singletary;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Devin Singletary</a> (26) Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Bills running back Devin Singletary (26) Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
  • Devin Singletary

  • Zach Moss

  • Duke Johnson

  • Taiwan Jones

  • Nyheim Hines (injury)

Full roster

Bills running back James Cook (28) Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Bills running back James Cook (28) Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Running back

Name

Year

James Cook

2

Damien Harris

5

Latavius Murray

10

Darrynton Evans

3

Jordan Mims

R

Full back

 

Preseason schedule

Preseason: 

Week

Date

Opponent

Time (ET)

1

Aug. 12

vs.

Colts

1:00 p.m.

Tickets

2

Aug. 19

at.

Steelers

6:30 p.m.

Tickets

3

Aug. 26

at

Bears

1:00 p.m.

Tickets

 

Things to watch: Quick hits

Bills running back Latavius Murray (USAT)
Bills running back Latavius Murray (USAT)
  • Is Evans a plug-and-play replacement for Hines?

  • What role will Murray play?

Big question: Who handles the workload?

Bills running back James Cook (28) Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Bills running back James Cook (28) Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

All along it’s felt like former second-round pick James Cook will get a strong look to be Buffalo’s No. 1 rusher. It makes sense, but it’s hard to overlook a player like Damien Harris. Not only does he profile as an early-down rusher more than Cook, he’s also had his fair share of successes in the NFL.

Prediction

<a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/new-england/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:New England Patriots;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">New England Patriots</a> running back Damien Harris (37) (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
New England Patriots running back Damien Harris (37) (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

There really feel likes a world where Harris gets more snaps than Cook by the end of the 2023 season. What that might fully depend upon is his health. Harris has found ways to get banged up in his career.

Having said that, Cook will get his fair share of looks both as a rusher and receiver. Even more so with Hines out.

Story originally appeared on Bills Wire