James Cook stats: Bills RB scores 3 touchdowns in first half against Miami Dolphins

Have a first half, James Cook.

Cook, the starting running back for the Buffalo Bills, was electric through the first two quarters on "Thursday Night Football" against the Miami Dolphins, scoring three touchdowns en route to giving the Bills a 24-7 lead into the break.

REQUIRED READING: Dolphins vs. Bills NFL Thursday Night Football tonight: Score, stats, highlights

Cook, a third-year player out of Georgia, only needed five first-half carries to rack up 60 yards and two touchdowns, as he burst through the middle of the field for a 49-yard score late in the second quarter. He also caught a 17-yard touchdown in the first quarter, before plunging in a one-yard rushing touchdown in the second period.

The former second-round pick gained over 1,500 total yards last season for the Bills, and based on his showing against the Dolphins on Thursday night, he seems primed to reprise his strong season once again.

Here's everything to know about Cook's dynamic first half:

James Cook stats

Here are Cook's game stats so far, along with his year-by-year NFL stats:

• Thursday (through first half): Five carries for 60 yards with two touchdowns; one reception for 17 yards and a touchdown

• 2024: 19 carries for 71 yards; three receptions for 32 yards

• 2023: 237 carries for 1,122 yards with two touchdowns; 44 receptions for 445 yards with four touchdowns

• 2022: 89 carries for 507 yards with two touchdowns; 21 receptions for 180 yards with a touchdown

James Cook highlights

Here are clips of each of Cook's three first-half touchdowns against Miami on Thursday night:

Is James Cook related to Dalvin Cook?

Yes, Cook is related to NFL running back Dalvin Cook, who's currently on the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad.

Cook, a longtime starter for the Minnesota Vikings, rushed for over 1,000 yards in each season from 2019-22. He played the 2023 season with the New York Jets, where he backed up star running back Breece Hall.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: James Cook stats: Bills RB breaks out on Thursday Night Football