Struggling to remain healthy, the former second-round pick must prove the Bucs can count on him as he focuses on staying on the field.
Benjamin Morrison may be the most talented cornerback on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster.
Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to show it.
When the Bucs drafted Morrison 53rd overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, it was widely thought that they got a steal. Morrison was thought to be a first-round talent, but a season-ending hip injury which ended his final year at Notre Dame, caused him to fall into the second round.
Morrison stands a bit over six feet and weighs about 195 pounds, a good size for a cornerback. He was praised for his fluid movement, high football IQ, and the ability to excel in either man or zone coverage. Morrison also showed elite ball-hawking ability with nine interceptions over his first two collegiate seasons.
His injury prevented Morrison from participating in any testing at the Scouting Combine, but his estimated forty-yard dash time of 4.39 seconds shows how fast he is. In fact, Morrison was graded as the fourth-fastest player in the EA Sports College Football 25 video game.
However, every accolade Morrison earned came with a caveat: when healthy.
Unfortunately, the injury bug that has plagued Morrison since his high school days persisted into college and has followed him into the NFL.
As a rookie, quad and hamstring injuries which first occurred during the preseason limited Morrison to only 10 games (three starts). Tampa was counting on having a healthy Morrison for 2026, especially after allowed its best CB, Jamel Dean, to walk in free agency.
Almost as though he were cursed, Morrison suffered another hamstring/leg injury at the beginning of OTAs and has only recently returned to practice. He may have lost his opportunity to begin the season as a starter, especially with Jacob Parrish, who was drafted a round after Morrison last year, moving from slot corner to the outside.
Shared by Pewter Report, Morrison spoke with reporters on Thursday and vented his frustration over the constant injuries, also saying that being away from the game he loves makes him appreciate it more.
“It’s the game I love. The game I grew up playing since I was like 6 years old. When I miss those snaps and I miss that time out here, you just appreciate it even more when you come back but it is frustrating," said Morrison. "You just want to do what you love and when it is taken from you on a consistent basis, it sucks. It builds character…changed my perspective and has made me appreciate it even more."
Can Morrison Finally Stay Healthy?
It is easy to sympathize with Morrison's frustrations, but can he stay healthy? It will take a bit of time before he ramps up to full participation, but the only thing that matters now is whether he can remain on the field.
Even with all of his potential, Morrison is already at risk of being labeled a "bust." He was listed among the NFL's second-year players under the most pressure this season.
Tampa's cornerbacks are both young and unproven. Having a healthy Morrison will go a long way in having the secondary holds up its end of the bargain behind a revamped defensive front seven.
Final Thoughts
If Morrison can stay on the field, he has the talent to be a very good starting cornerback for a very long time.
Unfortunately with Morrison, that is always a very big "if."
Now that he is back at practice, the time has come for Morrison to prove he can be counted on. Talent has never been an issue. Availability has.
If Morrison remains available this season, Tampa's secondary can be very good. If not, the Bucs may be forced to look elsewhere for someone they can depend on.
