The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took a calculated risk when they selected Benjamin Morrison in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Morrison had the talent to potentially go in the first round. However, significant injury concerns caused him to slide. Now, those same concerns are becoming an increasingly serious problem for Tampa Bay.

Morrison has missed the past eight practices with a sore hamstring. That is especially concerning because injuries have followed him throughout his football career.

The Buccaneers still have five weeks before the regular season begins. However, Morrison’s continued absence is making it harder to count on him as a major contributor.

Morrison entered the NFL with an extensive injury history. He missed time in 2023 because of a quad injury before suffering a right shoulder injury and hip labral tear in 2024.

Those issues contributed to his draft-day slide. Tampa Bay ultimately decided Morrison’s potential was worth the risk.

His rookie season did little to ease those concerns.

Morrison dealt with quad and hamstring problems and missed seven games. He played only 360 defensive snaps and started just three games.

Even when Morrison was available, he did not consistently look like the high-end cornerback the Buccaneers hoped they were getting.

That made his second season particularly important. Morrison needed a healthy offseason and training camp to establish himself as a legitimate part of Tampa Bay’s long-term plans.

Instead, he is once again watching practice from the sideline.

If Morrison cannot stay healthy, Tampa Bay should not force him into a significant role simply because of where he was drafted.

The Buccaneers already have another young cornerback who could take advantage of the opportunity.

Jacob Parrish is expected to start on the outside, giving Tampa Bay a potential answer opposite Zyon McCollum. If McCollum establishes himself as the team’s top cornerback, Parrish could potentially settle into the No. 2 role.

That could give the Buccaneers a much-needed combination of availability and development.

Parrish does not have to be a finished product. He simply needs to provide enough consistency to justify keeping Morrison on the sidelines when injuries continue preventing him from contributing.

The Buccaneers understandably want to see what Morrison can become.

However, patience has to have a limit.

If Morrison spends another season dealing with injuries and produces minimal results when he does play, Tampa Bay will have to reconsider his place in its plans.

The organization already has contingency options developing behind him. Keionte Scott has experience playing in the slot, while Parrish has an opportunity to establish himself on the outside.

That means Tampa Bay does not have to build its cornerback room around the hope that Morrison eventually stays healthy.

If Morrison can return and finally put together a healthy stretch, he deserves the opportunity to compete.

If he cannot, the Buccaneers should move forward.

The Buccaneers need to start thinking about their cornerback room beyond draft status and potential.

If McCollum proves capable of being the team’s No. 1 cornerback, Parrish could emerge as a viable No. 2. That would give Tampa Bay two young outside corners to develop together.

Morrison’s draft position should not change that evaluation.

The Buccaneers invested a second-round pick in Morrison because they believed his talent outweighed the medical concerns. If those concerns continue to define his career, Tampa Bay has to be willing to admit the gamble did not work.

There is still plenty of time for Morrison to change that narrative.

But if he cannot stay healthy, the Buccaneers should not hesitate to make McCollum their No. 1 cornerback and move forward with Parrish as their No. 2.

The Buccaneers drafted Morrison while he was injured. Then he missed 7 games his rookie season due to injury. Now he’s banged up before the season has even started.

The thing is Morrison can play. He has good size and instincts. But those are of no use if he spends more time in the trainer’s room than on the field.

The good news is Morrison was suited up for practice Wednesday. But the week is only half over.

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