Benjamin Morrison wasn't expected to have a major role in the Buccaneers' season opener against the Bengals, but that changed quickly when Jacob Parrish left the game with a back injury. With Parrish unable to return, Morrison was thrown into the lineup against Joe Burrow and a Bengals receiving corps led by Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. It was a difficult spot for the second-year corner, especially after missing a majority of preseason reps.
He finished the game without allowing a reception in coverage and wasn't credited with giving up a touchdown. Cincinnati had plenty of reason to test the young corner after Parrish went down, but Morrison was able to hold up when his role suddenly increased. That mattered against a Bengals offense that
still finished with 254 passing yards. Burrow completed 25 of his 35 attempts, but Tampa Bay kept Chase from taking over the game and forced Cincinnati to work for much of its production through the air. For Morrison, the performance was another positive step after an up-and-down rookie season.
The Bucs selected him in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft after a strong career at Notre Dame, but he entered the league coming off hip surgery and appeared in only 10 games as a rookie. He finished that season with 26 tackles and four passes defensed while making three starts. There were also stretches where Morrison showed what made him such a highly regarded prospect. Against Philadelphia last season, he allowed just one reception for nine yards on five targets. Later in the year, against Miami, he was targeted three times but did not allow a completion. He entered 2026 in a different role after Parrish earned the starting job opposite Zyon McCollum, but Sunday's game was a reminder that the Bucs may still have a significant role for Morrison.
Parrish is now dealing with a back sprain, although his X-rays and MRI came back negative. If the injury keeps him out against Cleveland, Morrison could be asked to step into the starting lineup. His first extended test of the season came against Burrow, Chase, and Higgins, and he held his own with four tackles, including a tackle for loss and a pass defended, which should give the Bucs more confidence in their cornerback depth if Parrish needs time to recover.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Benjamin Morrison survives trial by fire
