New York Jets running back and kick returner Tarik Cohen has announced his retirement. Despite having a promising training camp and expressing optimism about his return, Cohen has decided to step away from the game. Known for his standout performance as an All-Pro returner with the Bears in 2018, Cohen's career was significantly impacted by injuries. His last NFL game was in 2020 after he suffered a severe leg injury and torn knee ligaments. Cohen also endured an Achilles' tear in the spring of 2022. Though he hoped the new kickoff rules would help him secure a spot on the 53-man roster, something changed his decision. Drafted by the Bears in the fourth round in 2017 from North Carolina A&T, Cohen finished his career with 2,676 scrimmage yards, 14 touchdowns, 985 punt return yards (including one touchdown), and 628 kickoff return yards. He spent most of his NFL career with the Bears, with a brief stint on the Carolina Panthers practice squad last season.
Aug 1, 2024 1:10 PM EST
New York Jets running back Tarik Cohen has not played in an NFL game since the 2020 regular season, but the 28-year-old signed with the organization on May 29 in hopes of keeping his career alive. According to Jets reporter Brandyn Pokrass, Cohen looks shifty and explosive, and he's already running with the first-team offense. It's worth noting Breece Hall (undisclosed) is working in the rehab area at OTAs, but it's still a surprise for Cohen to be involved this early in the process. The former fourth-round pick out of North Carolina A&T spent four seasons with the Chicago Bears from 2017 to 2020 and racked up 1,101 rushing yards, 209 receptions, 1,575 receiving yards, and 16 total touchdowns in 51 games. He has since suffered a fractured tibial plateau, torn ACL, and torn Achilles. It would be a surprise if he makes noise in fantasy football this year, but if he makes the roster, he could have a small role behind Hall and fourth-round rookie Braelon Allen.
May 31, 2024 4:49 PM EST
The New York Jets signed free-agent running back Tarik Cohen to an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday, according to a source. Cohen was one of the league's top return specialists and a receiving threat with the Chicago Bears before serious injuries derailed his career. He last played in the NFL in 2020 but will not attempt a comeback with the Jets. The Bears took the 28-year-old in the fourth round (119th overall) in 2017 out of North Carolina A&T. Cohen was a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro in 2018 as a kick returner, and he had 264 rushing attempts for 1,101 yards and five touchdowns in his four seasons in Chicago, adding 209 receptions for 1,575 receiving yards and nine touchdowns through the air. He spent most of last year on the Panthers' practice squad and is unlikely to make an impact for the Jets or for fantasy managers in 2024.
May 29, 2024 2:14 PM EST
The Carolina Panthers released veteran running back Tarik Cohen, who was attempting a comeback from a series of injuries that derailed his time as a Pro Bowl return man with the Chicago Bears. Cohen hasn't played in a regular-season game in the NFL since 2020, and it remains to be seen if he'll latch on with another club this offseason. The 28-year-old was a former fourth-round pick in 2017 by the Bears out of North Carolina A&T. He was never much of a ball-carrier at 5-foot-6, 181 pounds, but he excelled as a returner and as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Cohen suffered an ACL tear in Week 3 of 2020 and also tore his Achilles in May of 2022. He spent most of last year on Carolina's practice squad but missed two months with a hamstring injury.
May 10, 2024 1:53 PM EST
Carolina Panthers special teams coach Chris Tabor said they will rev up running back Tarik Cohen's repetitions in practice this week to see where he is. The punt returner/RB could add some explosiveness to an offense that has lacked it through two weeks of the season as well. Cohen is attempting to make an NFL comeback after some serious knee injuries, and he hasn't played in an NFL game since 2020. It wouldn't hurt the Panthers to see what he can give him on offense behind Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard, but it's unrealistic to expect the 28-year-old to contribute meaningfully outside of special teams anytime soon.
Sep 21, 2023 11:10 AM EST
Free-agent running back Tarik Cohen intends to sign with the Carolina Panthers' practice squad on Wednesday. Cohen, who last appeared in an NFL game in 2020, is fully healthy after a serious knee injury kept him out of the league over the past two seasons. The veteran running back is a pass-catching specialist and will provide the Panthers with some depth behind Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard. Cohen would be worth keeping an eye on if he were to be promoted to the active roster in the future.
Sep 12, 2023 9:06 PM EST
Former Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen (Achilles, knee), who missed the last two seasons due to an ACL injury and a right Achilles tear, is now healthy and ready for NFL workouts, according to his agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Ryan Matha. The 28-year-old is looking to resume his NFL career. In Cohen's last full season with the Bears in 2019, he had 64 carries for 213 yards while catching a career-high 79 passes for 456 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games (11 starts). He was an All-Pro in 2018, when he caught 71 passes for a career-high 725 yards and five touchdowns through the air. Cohen will attempt to latch on with a team in 2023 and could provide pass-catching depth to a team's backfield.
Aug 22, 2023 11:32 AM EST
Cohen (knee) was diagnosed with a torn Achilles on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
May 17, 2022 6:27 PM EST
Cohen (knee) appears to have suffered a setback during an offseason workout, Alyssa Barbieri of Bears Wire reports.
May 17, 2022 12:31 PM EST
The Bears are slated to release Cohen (knee) with an injury designation, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Mar 11, 2022 9:34 AM EST
Cohen never saw the field for the Bears in 2021, as he was recovering from a knee injury suffered in 2020.
Jan 9, 2022 4:56 PM EST
Coach Matt Nagy didn't sound optimistic when asked about a potential 2021 return for Cohen, who has suffered setbacks in his recovery from a torn ACL, even requiring additional surgery, Adam Jahns and Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic report.
Dec 1, 2021 1:49 PM EST
Cohen (knee) reverted to the reserve/PUP list Tuesday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Aug 31, 2021 3:44 PM EST
Coach Matt Nagy suggested Tuesday that Cohen (knee) may still be weeks away from practicing, Mark Grote of WSCR Radio reports.
Aug 3, 2021 11:38 AM EST
Cohen (knee) was placed on the preseason PUP list Sunday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Jul 25, 2021 1:45 PM EST
Cohen (knee) didn't participate in June minicamp and looked "a bit stiff" walking around with his right leg wrapped, according to Mark Grote of WSCR Radio.
Jul 8, 2021 12:07 PM EST
The Bears have signed Damien Williams to join Cohen (knee) and David Montgomery in the backfield, ESPN reports.
Mar 26, 2021 9:54 AM EST
Cohen (knee - ACL) will be placed on injured reserve Monday.
Sep 28, 2020 11:57 AM EST
Coach Matt Nagy confirmed Monday that Cohen suffered a torn ACL during Sunday's win over the Falcons, Adam Hoge of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
Sep 28, 2020 10:29 AM EST
The Bears fear that Cohen tore his ACL during Sunday's win over the Falcons, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Sep 27, 2020 2:02 PM EST
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