NFL star who hasn’t played for four years signs with Jets to attempt comeback

FOUR years on from his last game, a former All-Pro running back is looking to make a comeback.

Former Chicago Bears star Tarik Cohen, 28, has signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets ahead of training camp.

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Selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of North Carolina A&M, Cohen made an early impact in Chicago.

A dual threat out of the backfield, the 5-foot-6 back proved particularly dangerous as a return specialist.

In his second year in the NFL, Cohen led the league in punt return yards (411) and racked up an impressive 1,169 yards and eight touchdowns from scrimmage.

This led to his first, and to date only, Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods.

Cohen’s productivity dipped in 2019, despite starting a career-high 11 games.

But in 2020, the nightmare began with Cohen tearing both his ACL and MCL, while also suffering a fractured tibial plateau.

This came just a week after he signed a new three-year deal worth $17.25 million.

After missing the remainder of the 2020 season as well as the entirety of 2021, the Bears released Cohen.

In May 2022, Cohen took to Instagram to livestream one of his private workouts as he pursued a comeback.

Unfortunately, during a drill, he tore his Achilles.

Cohen achieved a comeback of sorts in 2023, joining the Carolina Panthers‘ practice squad.

Now he heads for The Big Apple in an attempt to work his way into a roster spot.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, head coach Robert Saleh described Cohen as an “explosive playmaker” who “is starting to get back healthy.”

“With the new kickoff rules, these kick returners they’re going to touch the ball over 100 times a year, which is significant – at least that’s what we’re anticipating.

“And a guy like him who’s… he’s still young, obviously he’s coming off of his injuries, but we’re excited to have him on board.”

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Cohen joins a crowded running back room ahead of training camp.

He’ll likely battle it out for a roster spot against rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, and second-year backs Israel Abanikanda and Xazavian Valladay.

Breece Hall is the predicted starter for New York, fresh off of a 1,585-yards-from-scrimmage season.

Thankfully for the running backs, they’ll have a beefed-up offensive line to work with.

The Jets brought in veterans Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, and John Simpson this offseason.

They also drafted offensive tackle Olu Fashanu in the first round.

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