Overview
- The seventh-round rookie handled emergency punting duties and then replaced the quarterback late in the game on Saturday, finishing with three punts for 133 yards (44.3-yard average) and completing 13 of 17 passes for 129 yards and a 37-yard game-winning touchdown with 57 seconds left.
- Coach Mike Vrabel said Morton punted because starter Bryce Baringer "wasn't feeling great" after his early punts, and the team lacked depth behind Baringer and kicker Andy Borregales, which prompted the in-game move.
- Morton last punted competitively in high school and was listed as a backup punter at Texas Tech without in-game college punts, making his in-game kicking performance an unexpected demonstration of versatility.
- That versatility strengthens his roster case but is tempered by the NFL emergency third-quarterback rule, which would restrict his regular-season play unless both top QBs are injured.
- Morton gets one more preseason chance before decisions: New England plays the Browns next and must finalize cuts by Aug. 30, so his special-teams help could be decisive for roster spots and the team's short-term depth plans.