Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
National
Mark Potash

Cole Kmet heartened by Tarik Cohen’s comeback

Tarik Cohen scored 15 touchdown in 51 games for the Bears from 2017-20 — five rushing, nine receiving and one punt return, and threw two touchdown passes. (Charles Rex Arbogast, AP Photos)

Former Bears running back Tarik Cohen, who has not played in the NFL since injuring his knee on a punt return 2020 against the Falcons, is expected to sign with the Panthers, according to ESPN and NFL Network reports. 

Cohen’s injury made an impression on Cole Kmet, who was a rookie in his third NFL game when Cohen was injured. Like Cohen, Kmet signed contract extension early in his fourth year in the NFL.

“It was devastating,” Kmet said. “I know he had signed his deal [a three-year, $2.75 million extension] and had gotten hurt. That was tough to see. That was kind of my first time seeing how devastating those type of injuries could be. 

“To see him making a comeback and that he stayed [with] it, it’s really awesome. He’s an electric player when he was healthy, so hopefully he can get back to that. I wish him nothing but the best.” 

Kmet played only three regular-season games with Cohen, but it didn’t take much to feel the emotional impact of Cohen’s personality on a team.

“He was always like that,” Kmet said. “Whether it was a dance-off they had [in Club Dub] or it’s late in December and he’s the one yelling and screaming at practice. That’s how he was all the time. I’m sure that’s how he attacked his rehab and how he’ll attack coming back.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.