New York Jets running back Tarik Cohen has decided to abandon his comeback and retire from the NFL.
The surprise decision, confirmed Thursday, comes just two days after the former All-Pro insisted: “I definitely feel fully recovered.”
The 29-year-old signed with the Jets earlier this year as he sought his first NFL regular-season appearance since 2020.
Cohen’s career has been derailed by a series of injuries in recent years and he has now informed New York that he will be hanging up his boots.
The North Carolina native hasn’t played a single NFL game since breaking his leg and tearing two knee ligaments in 2020.
Jets running back Tarik Cohen has decided to abandon his comeback and retire from the NFL
The 29-year-old had been eyeing a first NFL regular-season appearance since 2020.
The 29-year-old missed the remainder of the season and the entire 2021 campaign. His attempt to return in 2022 was thwarted by a torn Achilles tendon.
Cohen was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft before joining the Panthers’ practice squad last season.
The new starting rules, which will be implemented starting with the 2024 season, are said to have been part of the reason the Jets signed Cohen in the spring.
Robert Saleh’s staff believed the running back could flourish as a returner, and Cohen reportedly impressed during the early days of training camp.
“I definitely feel like I’m back on the right track,” Cohen said Tuesday.
“I’m just trying to show the Jets the explosiveness that I have, the intelligence that I’ve gained from being in the league and helping out as I go up, all the guys in my position group.”