Is Todd Bowles's Patience Wearing Thin With Injured Cornerback?

In contrast to the ongoing contractual issues surrounding some key veterans, the young players on the Buccaneers' roster appear to be trending in the right direction.

Not only are young defensive players like Jacob Parrish, Rueben Bain Jr., Josiah Trotter and Keionte Scott all making their impact felt during training camp, but offensive players like Tez Johnson, Ted Hurst, Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan are also turning heads.

Unfortunately, though, one promising young player for the Buccaneers who has not made a positive impression is cornerback Benjamin Morrison.

Morrison Can't Stay Healthy

When Morrison slipped down partway through the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Bucs GM Jason Licht felt as though the talent was too much to pass up. Even if Morrison's injury history was the reason he was still on the board.

Although Morrison was able to recover from the hip surgery that cost him the majority of his final season at Notre Dame, it didn't take long for him to find the sidelines again as a pro.

Quad and hamstring injuries plagued Morrison throughout his rookie season, and when it was all said and done, he suited up for just 10 games total and made a minimal impact when he was on the field.

Heading into the 2026 offseason, Morrison — and the fans in Tampa — were optimistic that with a healthy training camp the young corner might finally be able to realize his talent at the NFL level.

Unfortunately, though, Morrison's OTAs and minicamp were cut short due to a soft tissue injury, and he's been on the sidelines for the entirety of training camp.

Is Todd Bowles Fed Up?

Following the Buccaneers' most recent practice this past weekend, Bucs' head coach Todd Bowles was asked about Morrison's recovery progress. Although he didn't say much, his response spoke volumes about how he feels.

"He's the same as usual," Bowles said.

Although Bowles isn't the type to openly criticize his players, this comment is a pretty clear indication that the Bucs' head coach's patience is wearing thin regarding Morrison's lack of availability.

Further emphasizing the frustration of all parties should be the fact that Morrison had a clear path to earning playing time this year, with the team having moved on from Jamel Dean, their best corner last year.

Does Morrison's most recent injury, or Bowles' comments about his availability, mean that Morrison couldn't carve out an important role on this football team? Absolutely not.

But based on how frequently Morrison has been on the sidelines as opposed to the practice field so far this offseason, it's safe to assume that he will have an uphill battle to earn his coach's trust, and ultimately, playing time on Sundays.

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