Steelers rookie quarterback Tanner Morgan will get another opportunity to show what he is made of against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday after an up and down performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Friday. In that game, Morgan finished 5 for 8 for 36 yards with an interception. In order to make a push for the practice squad, Morgan will have to impress more than he did on the road.
Morgan received reps during the team’s prep periods on Thursday leading up to their second preseason game. That means it is likely that Morgan will get another opportunity, though it may not be as much as nearly the entire second half of the game as it was last week. Kenny Pickett and the starters will play more, and that will push back the timeline for all of the quarterbacks to enter the game, but Morgan should see time in the fourth quarter.
Last year, the Steelers did not give much of a look to their first-year quarterback, Chris Oladokun. Oladokun rarely received reps at all in practice and was released before even getting an extended look in the preseason. However, Morgan has received more opportunities to show what he can do throughout training camp, participating in four of the days and even getting some significant team reps on some of those days. He has proven to be a gunslinger who plays without fear in practice, and that translates over into the game experience as well.
“You’re always competing with yourself to get the best out of yourself every day,” Morgan said. “That’s the way I look at it. I need to do the best I can and make the most out of the opportunity.”
So, that is what Morgan will look to do against the Bills. He is auditioning not just for a place on the Steelers practice squad, but potentially a spot on a 53-man roster if he can show what he is made of on the field. He needs to be sharper with more game experience to secure that role.
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