NFL Issues Final Ruling On James Cook’s Use Of Smelling Salts In Bills–Dolphins Game

Buffalo, N.Y. — September 2025. The NFL has handed down its final ruling regarding allegations that Buffalo Bills running back James Cook improperly used smelling salts during the team’s Week 2 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

After a full review, the league determined that Cook’s use of smelling salts was personal and independent, not supplied by the Buffalo Bills organization. According to investigators, the product came from a personal, trusted source and was in compliance with the NFL’s updated 2025 policy, which permits individual use as long as it does not involve prohibited substances.

The NFL also noted that Cook’s medical history shows no record of concussions, and therefore his use of smelling salts had no bearing on player safety protocols. In short, the league found no violations tied to the Bills or Cook.

The Miami Dolphins’ formal complaint against Cook was ultimately dismissed, as the organization failed to provide evidence meeting league standards. The NFL ruled the complaint as “unsubstantiated” and, in a rare disciplinary measure, fined the Dolphins $100,000 for filing misleading information that harmed both the reputation of the Buffalo Bills and James Cook himself.

Following the ruling, Cook released a statement that struck a chord with Bills Mafia:

“I love this team like family. All I want is to give everything I have and bring wins back to Buffalo. This situation didn’t just affect me—it affected our whole locker room. If anything ever goes wrong, I’ll take full responsibility. This is the Bills—we’re allowed to make mistakes, and we’re given the chance to fix them.”

For Buffalo, the decision clears one of their key offensive weapons from controversy and shifts the focus back to the field. For the NFL, it sends a strong message: false accusations will carry consequences.

As Week 3 approaches, the Bills head into Sunday with clarity—James Cook is cleared, the Dolphins are fined, and the spotlight returns to football.