This offseason, the NFL is implementing new kickoff guidelines. They’re attempting to chop down on the lengthy collisions which have occurred previously. Now greater than ever, it’s a premium to have an elite return man who could make individuals miss and put the group in a constructive beginning place.
With the brand new guidelines in place, the Jets are signing a veteran RB who was as soon as the most effective returners within the league. Twenty-eight-year-old Tarik Cohen hasn’t performed in an NFL recreation since Week 3 of 2020. Nonetheless, the Jets are signing the previous All-Professional to a one-year deal for the 2024 season. Cohen has been working for the final two seasons to attempt to get again on the sector. Accidents have given him some main obstacles.
Can Tarik Cohen be the Jets’ beginning returner for the 2024 season?
Jets are signing free-agent RB Tarik Cohen to a one-year deal, per supply. Cohen was one of many NFL’s prime return specialists and a receiving risk earlier than accidents derailed his profession. Cohen final performed within the NFL in 2020, however now will try his comeback with the Jets. pic.twitter.com/7lBjqEt1Sc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) Might 29, 2024
Tarik Cohen was a 4th-round draft choose by the Chicago Bears in 2017 out of North Carolina A&T. The dymanic RB is undersized at five-foot-six, however he makes up for that together with his elite return expertise. His nickname is the “human joystick”. For Chicago, Cohen was a first-team All-Professional returner in 2018. He led the NFL that season with 33 punt returns for 411 yards. For the primary three years of his profession, Cohen proved to be a difference-maker for Chicago.
Sadly, Cohen suffered a number of extreme accidents throughout Week 3 of the 2020 season. The previous Bears RB suffered a torn ACL, torn MCL, and tibial plateau fracture. He would miss the remainder of the 2020 and the entire 2021 season on account of these devastating accidents. Throughout a exercise in 2022, Cohen ruptured his Achilles and wanted surgical procedure. That ruined any likelihood he had of returning in 2022. Final season, Cohen signed with the Panthers’ observe squad. Nonetheless, he was positioned within the observe squad IR in November on account of hamstring points. The Panthers launched Cohen earlier this month.
Coach Saleh was excited to be requested concerning the report of Tarik Cohen signing 😂 pic.twitter.com/GzJEkp4uWy
— New York Jets (@nyjets) Might 29, 2024
Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh advised reporters in the present day that Tarik Cohen may have an opportunity to compete for the beginning returner job. Final season, the Jets used Xavier Gipson as their foremost return man. Nonetheless, New York sees worth in Cohen and is prepared to offer him an opportunity. We’ll see if Cohen can keep wholesome and play within the NFL for the primary time in almost 4 years.