Tarik Cohen, who has been working to make an NFL roster after a promising start to his career cut short due to injury, has signed with a team.
Jets are signing free-agent RB Tarik Cohen to a one-year deal, per source. Cohen was one of the NFL’s top return specialists and a receiving threat before injuries derailed his career. Cohen last played in the NFL in 2020, but now will attempt his comeback with the Jets. pic.twitter.com/7lBjqEt1Sc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 29, 2024
According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, Cohen, who was a star at North Carolina A&T as a running back and return specialist, signed a one-year deal.
“He’s a playmaker, he’s starting to get back healthy. With the new kickoff rules, these kick returners will touch the ball over 100 times a year, which is significant, at least that’s what we are anticipating. A guy like him, we are excited to have him aboard,” said Jets coach Robert Saleh. “When he [Cohen] was with the Bears, game planning for him was a nightmare.”
Robert Saleh speaks out on new #Jets RB Tariq Cohen:
"He's a playmaker."pic.twitter.com/wZ3VNWn1L7
— Gang Green (@GangGreen_app) May 29, 2024
After completing a decorated collegiate career with the Aggies that saw him recognized as the MEAC’s all-time leading rusher with 5,619 yards, Cohen was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
In 2018, Cohen made the Pro Bowl and was an All-Pro selection after a season in which he caught 71 passes for 725 yards and five touchdowns. He also added 444 rushing yards and three touchdowns. That same season, he paced the NFL in punt return yardage with 411 yards.
He followed that up with a 79 reception season in 2019, but he suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and tibial plateau fracture just three games into the 2020 season. He was again befallen by a major injury when he ruptured his Achilles tendon during a 2022 workout.
Working his way back from that injury, Cohen signed with the Carolina Panthers practice squad last season but never saw any game action. The Panthers released Cohen earlier this month.
If he can stay healthy, Cohen may be a boost to a Jets special teams unit that was ranked 14th in the NFL in punt returns yards. Cohen has a career punt return average of 10.3 yards.
