It has been a tough rookie year for Jordan Morgan.
The Green Bay Packers' first-round pick needed consistent reps after making a position switch from left tackle to right guard, but he battled recurring shoulder issues dating back to training camp.
Adjusting from college football to the pros is challenging enough. Morgan had the task of not only switching from tackle to guard, but moving from the left side of the line to the right. But without a consistent run of playing time, Morgan never got much of an opportunity.
He missed three games early in the year, returned for four, but then hurt his shoulder again and landed on injured reserve. Now, head coach Matt LaFleur has confirmed the worst.
Matt LaFleur confirms Jordan Morgan will miss the rest of the Packers' season
Speaking to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman on the appropriately named Matt LaFleur Show, the Packers' head coach revealed that Morgan is done for the year. Schneidman noted that Morgan had a sling on his arm and asked LaFleur whether the rookie had undergone surgery.
It's tough, but the Packers have made the right call. Morgan has dealt with the injury throughout the season and it keeps bothering him, so it's smart to get it taken care of now so he can get back to 100 percent as soon as possible, and hopefully in time for the offseason program.
Morgan played six games with just one start, which came due to the offensive line reshuffle following Josh Myers' injury in Week 9. He was unable to win the starting right guard job ahead of Sean Rhyan, and with Elgton Jenkins at left guard, Rasheed Walker at left tackle, and Zach Tom at right tackle, there were no openings for Morgan to break into the starting lineup.
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According to PFF, Morgan allowed seven pressures but zero sacks. His overall play was inconsistent, but he showed first-round potential, including on a key block that led to a Josh Jacobs touchdown against the Chicago Bears.
What's next for Morgan?
While general manager Brian Gutekunst said after the draft that Morgan could play tackle for the Packers, they gave him reps almost exclusively at guard over the summer. Walker and Tom are locked in as the starting tackles, and Rhyan has stepped up this season and is unlikely to lose the right guard job anytime soon.
With Myers hitting free agency, could the Packers slide Jenkins to center and have Morgan take over at left guard? It might be his best path to a starting job in 2025.
It's never a bad thing to have too many talented offensive linemen. Many teams don't have their starting five figured out. Morgan showed potential in Year 1 but has a lot to improve, and the main priority now is to get fully healthy.