Former Pro Bowl RB’s comeback attempt hits another snag
from Victor Barbosa, with YardBarker.com/www.yardbarker.com
The Carolina Panthers made a host of roster moves on Friday, signing 18 undrafted free agents while releasing seven players as well. Among those who were cut was former All-Pro and Pro Bowl running back Tarik Cohen.
The North Carolina A&T product was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft and played 51 games (22 starts) over three-plus seasons with the team until 2020, putting together a Pro Bowl campaign in 2018.
Cohen also made First-Team All-Pro that year, posting career highs in rushing attempts (99), rushing yards (444), rushing touchdowns (three), receiving yards (725) and other categories.
He led the Bears that season in receptions (71) and yards from scrimmage (career-high 1,169), while scoring eight touchdowns as well (five through the air). Cohen added 33 punt returns for 411 yards, both of which led the NFL and ended the campaign with 1,599 all-purpose yards.
Cohen suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Week 3 of the 2020 campaign, which was his most recent contest. After not being able to pass a physical in March 2022, Cohen was released by Chicago with an injury designation.
The 28-year-old went down with a torn Achilles during a live-streamed training session on Instagram in May 2022, again delaying his progress.
It was reported in August 2023 that Cohen was healthy and ready for NFL workouts.
He signed with the Panthers’ practice squad in September, was placed on injured reserve in November with a hamstring issue and re-activated in December but never played in a game with Carolina.