One of the most curious situations surrounding the Chicago Bears this season is the one regarding Tarik Cohen. After tearing his ACL in 2020, expectations were he should be able to return by the start of this season. When he landed on the PUP list, people started to wonder if that return might be delayed. Well, the six-week window came and went with still no sign of the running many. Some began speculating if there were complications in the rehab process or if Cohen might even be reluctant to return.
Perhaps most unusual of all is the decision by the Bears to keep Cohen on the PUP list. Why do that? It seems like he may not return this year. Wouldn’t it make more sense just to place him on Injured Reserve? Apparently not. Recent video evidence suggests there may yet be some hope that the running back can return at the end of this season. It appeared on his Instagram, showing him working out and showing no ill effects on that knee.
That is good to see.
There is no question the Bears’ offense has missed Cohen ever since he went down. They’ve lacked explosiveness for so long. Something he provided on a regular basis. Not until they started getting Jakeem Grant more involved on offense did that start to change. The receiver/returner has filled the exact sort of role Cohen did prior to his injury. As a result, there have been more big plays and more variety.
If Tarik Cohen does return soon and he’s close to the player he was prior to the injury? Then the Bears’ offense could be in store for some fun performances to finish the year strong. He and Grant on the field together could give defenses all sorts of headaches. Not to mention make life easier on Justin Fields with their ability to take short passes for long gains. Either way, it would be great just to see Tarik back on the sideline.
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