The New York Jets aren't done trying to make the offense and the special teams better in 2024. On Wednesday, the team signed running back and return specialist Tarik Cohen, who is trying to resurrect his career after a sequence of injuries. Cohen hasn't played a regular season game since 2020.

"Tarik is an explosive playmaker," Jets head coach Robert Saleh said. "Starting to get back healthy. The new kickoff rules, kick returners are going to touch the ball over a hundred times a year, which is significant. At least, this is what we're anticipating. He's still young, coming off his injuries, but we're excited to have him on board".

Jets are signing free-agent RB Tarik Cohen to a one-year deal, per source. Cohen was one of the NFL’s top return specialists and a receiving threat before injuries derailed his career. Cohen last played in the NFL in 2020, but now will attempt his comeback with the Jets. pic.twitter.com/7lBjqEt1Sc

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 29, 2024

Injuries

Tarik Cohen came into the league as a fourth-round pick in 2017. Over his first three seasons in the NFL, he was a productive gadget offensive player and useful special teamer for the Chicago Bears. In 2020, though, he was hit on a fair catch and tore his ACL, MLC, and broke his tibial plateau.

After missing the rest of the 2020 and the entire 2021 season, he was trying to return in 2022, but suffered another serious injury — this time around, a torn Achilles. He was cleared to play again last August.

He signed with the Carolina Panthers' practice squad in September and spent the season there — which included a new, but minor injury. Cohen signed a new deal with the Panthers in January, but was released earlier this month.

With the Jets, he finds a new opportunity to show that he can still be a useful NFL player.

What he has to offer

Versatility is the most important aspect of Tarik Cohen's profile, if and when he's fully healthy again. Throughout his first three seasons and the three games he played in 2020, Cohen combined 1,101 rushing yards, 1,575 receiving yards, 628 kick return yards, and 985 punt return yards. He had 15 all-purpose touchdowns.

Depth

The addition of Tarik Cohen is a valuable roster move because it has no risk for the Jets. The team already has a strong depth at running back. The room includes veterans Breece Hall, Israel Abanikanda, and Xazavian Valladay, plus fourth-round rookie Braelon Allen, fifth-round rookie Isaiah Davis, and UDFA Markese Stepp. Fullback Nick Bawden has also been on the roster since 2021.

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