Well, maybe it is too late for Tarik Cohen to make his long-awaited comeback.
On Wednesday, the Carolina Panthers opened a potential opportunity for the 28-year-old running back—elevating him up to the practice squad after being shelved for nearly two months with a hamstring injury. So, just like he has for much of the season, interim head coach and special teams coordinator Chris Tabor fielded questions about Cohen’s availability.
“We brought him back a little bit too so we’d get some questions on it,” he said jokingly. “Tarik’s very deserving. We had a spot so that he could come back. Glad to get him back out there on the grass and see where he’s at.
“Seriously, it is great to have him around and practicing. Because what he brings to practice and how he practices, it’s great to have around.”
Tabor was then asked if he thinks Cohen has a shot at playing in at least one of the two final games of the campaign.
“I can never promise anything,” he replied. “And therefore, I won’t answer that question. I want everybody that’s on our team to have an opportunity to play, and he’s no different.”
Unfortunately, however, Cohen himself doesn’t seem to think he’ll have that opportunity.
Cohen told me it’s unlikely he will play one of the final two games. https://t.co/cPmcak8xtP
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) December 27, 2023
Cohen has not played an NFL down since Week 3 of the 2020 season, when he sustained ACL and MCL tears as well as a tibial plateau fracture. The former All-Pro returner also tore his Achilles during an offseason workout last spring.
