James Morgan is back with the New York Jets
The New York Jets have added a familiar face to their ever-changing quarterback room.
General manager Joe Douglas‘ first-ever draft pick at the signal-caller position, James Morgan, is back in green, signing with New York’s practice squad.
In a corresponding move, the Jets released defensive back Natrell Jamerson from the practice squad.
We’ve signed QB James Morgan to the practice squad and released DB Natrell Jamerson from the practice squad.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 25, 2021
Morgan was chosen by the Jets with the 125th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2020 draft, Douglas’ inaugural draft as the Jets’ lead decision-maker. The Green Bay native began his collegiate career at Bowling Green before transferring to Florida International.
The Jets never called upon Morgan for regular-season action in his rookie year. Since there was also no preseason in 2020, Morgan did not get a chance to play real football in the NFL until the 2021 preseason.
Across three preseason appearances, Morgan completed 19 of 35 passes for 208 yards (5.9 yards per attempt), two touchdowns, and one interception. He had a passer rating of 79.2.
Most notably, Morgan connected with undrafted rookie tight end Kenny Yeboah on a 49-yard Hail Mary touchdown as time expired in the Jets’ preseason finale against Philadelphia, setting up New York with a chance to tie the game on a two-point conversion (which they did).
JAMES MORGAN HAIL MARY 🔥
(via @nyjets)pic.twitter.com/mXJahHfJpA
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 28, 2021
Morgan was released by the Jets on Aug. 31 as part of their final roster cuts. Two days later, he was added to the practice squad of the Jets’ Week 1 opponents, the Carolina Panthers.
Carolina released Morgan on Nov. 12. He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers three days later but lasted only eight days there, hitting the chopping block on Nov. 23.
Now, Morgan is back where it all started.
Morgan’s arrival adds to the frenzy of a Jets quarterback room that has experienced a massive shake-up this week.
Zach Wilson is considered fully healthy and will return to the starting lineup after a four-week absence.
However, Joe Flacco and Mike White are set to miss the game due to COVID-19 protocols. White tested positive and will certainly miss the game. Flacco was deemed a close contact and will likely sit out as well, but head coach Robert Saleh has not ruled him out just yet.
Josh Johnson is expected to be elevated from the practice squad to serve as Wilson’s backup in the event that Flacco cannot go.
The Jets have already elevated Johnson from the practice squad twice (the league limit for one player in one season), which means they would typically have to sign him to the active roster for the remainder of the year if he were to play again, but there is an exemption for elevating players from the practice squad when it is COVID-related.
New York will look to snap its three-game losing streak this Sunday as they take on the Texans in Houston (1 p.m. ET, CBS).
