How Injuries Boosted an Underrated Signing into the Spotlight in Jacksonville
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ season has had its ups and downs as we near the homestretch, where teams make the push to make the playoffs. Sitting at 6-4, the Jaguars currently hold the final position in the AFC playoff picture. A big piece of the Jaguars’ struggles has been their constant injury problems. This includes their plagued tight end unit, one that was head coach Liam Coen’s most anticipated segment of the offense entering 2025. A unit that began as one of the most versatile and reliable for the team has turned into a concern. However, one tight end that the Jaguars signed late in the offseason has turned into a promising placeholder. That player is the veteran from the Buffalo Bills in Quintin Morris.
Starting tight end Brenton Strange suffered a quad injury against the Kansas City Chiefs, which ended up putting him on the injured reserve. The Jaguars’ second-string in Hunter Long, also got injured. This has allowed Morris to get an increase in snaps over the last few weeks and has had quite an impact. On the stat sheet, Morris only has one reception for 11 yards. However, his impact on the roster goes far beyond what is in the numbers. For Jacksonville’s offensive scheme, Morris is primarily used as a blocking tight end, one who opens up holes for the running backs to make big plays. Coen was ecstatic when talking about Morris after last week, calling him physical and explosive. He also got praise from starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who pointed out the tight end’s great hands and route-running abilities. For a player who didn’t even make the initial 53-man roster, Morris has done the job to step up when needed.
Morris started the season as the fourth tight end on the Jaguars. Now, he’s up to the leading spot with injuries plaguing the Jacksonville offense. Although Morris hasn’t had any statistics that will jump out at you so far this season, his locker room presence and leadership abilities have been enough to turn this team around. With praise from a majority of his teammates and the head coach, it will only be a matter of time before Morris breaks out for the Jaguars with this increased play time.
