JOHN WAWROW Sports Writer.

Bills running back James Cook has ended his contract standoff by signing a four-year deal, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane said. Cook’s deal will pay him $48 million over the four years, two people with knowledge of the agreement confirmed to The Associated Press. The contract includes $30 million in guaranteed money, one of the people said. They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because financial details of the contract have not been announced. The deal comes a day after Cook ended his weeklong standoff by returning to practice. Cook was the NFL’s co-leader with 16 touchdowns rushing last season.

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook put aside his contract concerns — and avoided the potential of being fined — by attending the start of the team’s three-day mandatory series of practices. Coach Sean McDermott says “I respect his decision to be here and be amongst the team.” Cook’s attendance comes after he went public with his desire to negotiate a contract extension while entering the fourth and final year of his rookie deal. Cook skipped Buffalo’s six previous spring practices and workout sessions, all of which were voluntary. Cook was selected by Buffalo in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia.