On Wednesday, the Carolina Panthers announced the addition of running back Tarik Cohen—officially signing the former All-Pro to their practice squad. So, head coach Frank Reich was able to speak on the move.
“I was really excited to see him out there for the workout,” he said with a smile during this afternoon’s presser. “I remember when he was with the Bears—just watching him and just like, ‘Man, this guy is . . . he is different.’ Not only physically is he different, but his quickness and as a runner. I coached Darren Sproles—so a very similar type player—and I felt like there’s a little bit of that in him. And a dynamic returner as well.
Buy Panthers Tickets“So, he looked good out there. Obviously, it’s been a while. Obviously, very bad injury. So, to his credit, felt a lot of good energy from him like he’s ready to play some football.”
Cohen, who has not played an NFL down since Week 3 of the 2020 campaign, worked out for the Panthers on Tuesday. The 5-foot-6, 191-pounder is on his way back from a handful of devastating injuries—including tears to his ACL and MCL, a tibial plateau fracture and a torn Achilles tendon.
Reich was then asked if he has an idea of if or when Cohen could be moved to the active roster.
“I think, probably, it’s a few weeks of him getting back in football shape,” he replied. “And then, he may or may not be active. It just depends on how things are going. There’s not a definite plan to bring him up. We’re happy with the guys that we have. But we also like the fact that he’s ready to play football, and that he physically looks like he’s back to his old, explosive. So I think we have a few weeks to kinda figure that out.”
