Jets sign RB Tarik Cohen, out of NFL since 2020

Field Level Media|published: Wed 29th May, 12:52 2024

Jun 9, 2021; Lake Forest, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears Tarik Cohen walks on the field during organized team activities at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Running back Tarik Cohen, who last appeared in an NFL game in 2020, signed a contract with the New York Jets.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the Jets, however multiple media outlets reported it was a one-year deal.

Cohen was an All-Pro return specialist and made the Pro Bowl with the Chicago Bears in 2018 but missed the 2021 season with a torn ACL and the 2022 season with a ruptured Achilles.

He was on the Carolina Panthers' practice squad last season and spent time on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. The Panthers released him on May 10.

Cohen, who turns 29 in July, joins a running back room in New York that includes Breece Hall, Israel Abanikanda, Xazavian Valladay and rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. Fellow running back Markese Stepp was waived on Wednesday to open a roster spot for Cohen.

A fourth-round pick in 2017, Cohen registered 4,286 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns in 51 games (22 starts) for Chicago from 2017-20.

"Explosive playmaker. Starting to get back healthy," Jets coach Robert Saleh said on Wednesday. "With the new kickoff rules, these kickoff returners are going to touch the ball over 100 times per year, which is significant. At least that's what we are anticipating. For a guy like him, he's still young ... we're excited to have him aboard."

Cohen racked up 1,101 rushing yards with five touchdowns along with 1,575 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 209 catches. He also threw two touchdown passes and returned a punt for a TD with the Bears.

The Achilles injury occurred in May 2022 while Cohen was live-streaming a workout session on Instagram.

--Field Level Media