SI

Jets Agree to Deal With Former All-Pro Return Man Tarik Cohen

Patrick Andres

Jun 9, 2021; Lake Forest, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears Tarik Cohen walks on the field during organized team activities at Halas Hall.
Jun 9, 2021; Lake Forest, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears Tarik Cohen walks on the field during organized team activities at Halas Hall. / Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
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Four years have passed without running back Tarik Cohen seeing NFL action. Now, the North Carolina A&T product appears set to change that.

Cohen has agreed to a one-year contract with the New York Jets, according to a Wednesday morning report from ESPN's Adam Schefter later confirmed by the team.

"Tarik—explosive playmaker. He's starting to get back healthy," Jets coach Robert Saleh said. "With the new kickoff rule, these kick returners—they're gonna touch the ball over a hundred times a year, which is significant. A guy like him, he's still young... we're excited to have him aboard."

Cohen suffered a catastrophic knee injury in a Sept. 27, 2020 Chicago Bears win over the Atlanta Falcons that cost him nearly two full seasons. He then tore his Achilles tendon in May 2022.

Before his injuries, he was one of the league's most feared return men. He led the league in punt-return yardage in 2018, a season that ended with him garnering Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors.

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Patrick Andres
PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .

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