Falcons cut ties with Wanya Morris

Morris started several games for the Chiefs at left tackle over the past three seasons before the Falcons acquired him in the offseason. Atlanta chose to part ways and now the Cowboys add Morris as tackle depth heading into the season. Also signed to the Cowboys’ initial practice squad are RB Israel Abanikanda, WR Jordan Hudson, WR Anthony Smith, TE Michael Trigg, TE Mitchell Van Vooren, OT Marcellus Johnson, OL Nick Leverett, DT Tommy Dunn, DT Elijah Garcia, DT Adedayo Odeleye, LB Justin Barron, LB Isaiah Land, LB Curtis Robinson, CB Derion Kendrick, and CB Reddy Steward.

Two days ago, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Chiefs and Morris had agreed to explore trade options because Morris wanted the chance to play more often. The 25-year-old, former third-round pick has logged 1,059 career snaps at left tackle and 88 at right tackle, though he has yet to stand out in pass protection. Despite his struggles, Morris provides at least mild insurance behind 34-year-old LT Jake Matthews.

Per Fowler, Morris “would like the chance to play more and Kansas City has tackle depth.” Morris has 16 starts in three seasons and suffered a season-ending knee injury in December. An update on his rehab program was not provided. Morris earned a 57.1 PFF offense grade on 68 snaps last season.

Morris suffered a gruesome knee injury early in the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Texans and was ruled out shortly after. The third-year tackle was replaced by rookie UDFA Esa Pole, who allowed three pressures on 42 pass-blocking snaps against one of the top pass-rushing defenses in the league. It’s yet another massive blow to a Chiefs offensive line that was already missing its two starting tackles prior to Morris going down. Pole will likely draw the start in Week 15’s game against the Chargers.

The Chiefs enter Super Bowl LIX largely in good health. Morris struggled all season before being replaced in the starting lineup by D.J. Humphries and, later, guard Joe Thuney. The Chiefs also declared OL C.J. Hanson, OT Ethan Driskell, DE Malik Herring, DE Joshua Uche, CB Steven Nelson and CB Keith Taylor inactive.

He was struggling to put weight on his leg after he was rolled up on from behind, and reportedly had his hands on his helmet on the sideline before heading in to the locker room. Morris was replaced by Kingsley Suamataia, who is already struggling.

Morris currently sits behind second-round rookie LT Kingsley Suamataia on the Chiefs’ depth chart. Though he ideally would play limited snaps, assuming a strong Week 1 debut for Suamataia, potentially losing depth at the offensive line’s most important position is an issue. Hopefully, the broadcast offers clarity as to the injury’s severity.

Teammate Jason Godrick was also arrested with Morris, as the two were reportedly booked at the Johnson County Adult Detention Center around 2 A.M. Friday morning. Both players have since posted bond and were released, with their court appearances scheduled for May 23. It continues to be a rough offseason for the defending Super Bowl champions, who are dealing with the legal issues Rashee Rice has found himself in, and controversial comments recently made by kicker Harrison Butker. Morris is expected to compete with rookie Kingsley Suamataia for the starting left tackle job this offseason. Both players could be subject to discipline from the NFL depending on how the rest of this shakes out.

Morris was drafted by the Chiefs in the third round of last year’s draft but played sparingly behind veteran Donovan Smith. He did manage to start four games on the year, allowing two sacks on 20 pressures in those starts, but won’t be handed the job heading into Week 1. Suamataia, who was drafted in the second round of this year’s draft, is expected to compete with Morris for the starting gig and has experience at both left and right tackle in college. It’s possible this gets settled before the end of training camp to ensure the eventual starter sees plenty of snaps with the first-team before the season kicks off against the Ravens.

Morris (6’5/307) was a five-star recruit playing his first two seasons at Tennessee, where he held down the starting left tackle spot and bumped Darnell Wright to the right side. He then transferred to OU before his junior year, where he played sparingly in 2021 before starting eight out of the nine games he appeared in last season. Morris excelled when he finally got the opportunity, allowing only two sacks, two QB hits, and two hurries. Morris’ 5.11 40-yard dash was an 83rd percentile mark while his 9’03” broad jump hit the 90th percentile threshold. He recorded a commendable 8.31 RAS to go with freakish 35.125” arms. Morris shares many strengths and weaknesses with recent Sooners counterpart, Anton Harrison. Morris has more projectable physical traits than Harrison but is somewhat less refined. He has good strength that shows in the run game and against power rushers in pass sets. Morris’ body leverage is often sufficient, if not a clear winner, on run plays. Against speedier rushers he struggles a bit to take away angles, opting to lunge and put his head down at times instead. Though a bit stiff, he still manages to do just enough to buy his QB time when needed. Morris’ range of outcomes is wide.