Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen. Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Bears releasing former All-Pro RB Tarik Cohen

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/11/22

The five-year anniversary of the 2017 NFL Draft is next month. In the fourth round of that year's event, the Chicago Bears selected Tarik Cohen, the undersized yet dangerous backfield weapon, with the 119th overall pick.

On Friday, the Bears are cutting ties with the former All-Pro running back, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Bears are releasing RB Tarik Cohen with an injury designation, per source. He is not able to pass a physical yet stemming from his knee injury during the 2020 season. Cohen’s goal is to be ready in time for this upcoming season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2022

The Bears pick up $2.25M in cap space as new GM Ryan Poles continues to reshape his roster. https://t.co/XvSboO2Dnm
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 11, 2022

The move comes one day following Chicago's big trade with the Los Angeles Chargers that saw them send away former Defensive Player of the Year and six-time Pro Bowler Khalil Mack.

Cohen put together a solid rookie season in 2017, serving as a change-of-pace runner to Jordan Howard and acting as the Bears' primary pass-catching back. "The Human Joystick" played in all 16 games that year, finishing with 140 touches (87 carries and 53 receptions) for 723 total yards and three touchdowns.

2018 was Cohen's best NFL campaign, as he led all Chicago players in receptions (71) and yards from scrimmage (1,169), while scoring eight total touchdowns, including five through the air. Cohen -- who was named first-team All-Pro and earned his only Pro Bowl nod thus far -- also added 33 punt returns for 411 yards, both of which led the NFL, and ended the year with 1,599 all-purpose yards.

Cohen was again productive in 2019, finishing the season with 994 all-purpose yards -- 456 by way of receptions, 302 on punt returns, 213 on rushing attempts and 23 on kick returns -- and posted career-highs in targets (104) and receptions (79). The 26-year-old suffered a season-ending ACL injury early in the 2020 campaign and missed all of 2021 as well.

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