On Tuesday, former Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen was sharing his workout on Instagram Live when he suddenly dropped and grabbed the back of his lower leg. Viewers watched as the entire incident was captured on camera.
Former #Bears RB Tarik Cohen seems to have suffered a leg injury while training on IG Live.
Here’s hoping it’s not too serious. He’s been through so much, and another major injury would just be devastating.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) May 17, 2022
While the extent of the injury is unclear, it looked to some as though Cohen had injured his Achilles.
This is hard to watch for Tarik Cohen
—The deceleration of the right foot
—Then the push off
—Immediate grab of right AchillesNot a good sign for his Achilles https://t.co/jxJS779jh1
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) May 17, 2022
If it’s truly a major injury, it’s a heartbreaking setback in a long line of such things for Cohen. He was released by the Bears in March with an injury designation after he tore his ACL in Week 3 of the 2020 season and remained unable to pass a physical with the team.
Before his injury, Cohen had been one of the most exciting players on Chicago’s roster, garnering 1,101 rushing yards, 1,575 receiving yards, and 14 touchdowns in 51 games. He was named First-Team All-Pro as a punt returner in 2018 when he averaged 12.5 yards per return and led the NFL with 411 total punt return yards.
Cohen had just recently penned an article in The Players Tribune about all the adversity he’s been through in his life, including the death of his twin brother, making this potential injury and setback all the more depressing.
While we await word on the extent of Cohen’s injury and what it might mean for his chances to get back into the NFL, there was an outpouring of appreciation and prayers for his recovery on social media.
The Tarik Cohen video is heartbreaking. I'm not gonna post it. I just hope the injury isn't as bad as it seems. He's too good of a human for this to happen, I can't believe it. ☹️
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) May 17, 2022
The poor guy https://t.co/ou4iT9GioC
— Dan Vasko (@danvasko) May 17, 2022
Man that freaking sucks. I've been hoping/rooting for Tarik Cohen to get back on an NFL roster this summer. Gutted for him. https://t.co/LgD22gABxj
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) May 17, 2022
Awwww man. This stinks. https://t.co/CCxnwnjKYY
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) May 17, 2022
Tarik Cohen can’t catch a freaking break…. https://t.co/q0oHe7P1VI
— Bears Nation (@BearsNationCHI) May 17, 2022
Update: According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Tarik Cohen injury is as feared. An MRI confirmed that Cohen ruptured his Achilles.
An MRI today confirmed that RB Tarik Cohen, who hasn’t played in the NFL since he tore his ACL in Week 3 of the 2020 season, ruptured his Achilles while live streaming a training session on Instagram Live, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 18, 2022
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.