Nicholas Morrow (born July 10, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Greenville.[1]

Nicholas Morrow
refer to caption
Morrow in the 2017 NFL season
No. 32 – Buffalo Bills
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1995-07-10) July 10, 1995 (age 29)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:Huntsville (Huntsville, Alabama)
College:Greenville (2013–2016)
Undrafted:2017
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 3, 2024
Total tackles:465
Sacks:7.0
Forced fumbles:3
Fumble recoveries:3
Pass deflections:27
Interceptions:3
Stats at Pro Football Reference

College career

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Morrow attended Greenville University in Greenville, Illinois.

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+38 in
(1.84 m)
216 lb
(98 kg)
32 in
(0.81 m)
9+18 in
(0.23 m)
4.52 s 1.66 s 2.63 s 4.45 s 7.08 s 37 in
(0.94 m)
10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)
23 reps
All values from Northwestern's Pro Day[2]

Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders

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2017

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On May 4, 2017, the Oakland Raiders signed Morrow to a three-year, $1.67 million contract that included a signing bonus of $7,500.[3][4] Morrow became the first Greenville player to sign an NFL contract.

He entered training camp as a linebacker and performed well enough to compete for a job as a starting linebacker against Marquel Lee and Tyrell Adams.[5] Head coach Jack Del Rio named Morrow the primary backup weakside linebacker, behind Cory James, to begin the regular season.[6]

He made his professional regular season debut during the Raiders' season-opener at the Tennessee Titans and made one solo tackle as they won 26–16. On October 15, 2017, Morrow earned his first career start at middle linebacker against the San Diego Chargers after Marquel Lee sustained an ankle injury the previous week.[7] Morrow completed their 17–16 loss to the Chargers with five combined tackles (three solo) and one pass deflection. On December 3, 2017, Morrow earned his third start of the season and collected a season-high nine combined tackles (three solo) during a 24–17 win against the New York Giants. He completed his rookie campaign with a total of 60 combined tackles (40 solo) and four pass deflections in 16 games and five starts.[8] On December 31, 2017, the Oakland Raiders officially announced their decision to fire head coach Jack Del Rio after they finished the 2017 NFL season with a 6–10 record.

2018

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Throughout training camp, Morrow competed to be the starting weakside linebacker against Emmanuel Lamur and Marquel Lee after the departure of Cory James. Head coach Jon Gruden named Morrow the backup strongside linebacker, behind Tahir Whitehead, to begin the regular season.[9]

On November 25, 2018, Morrow earned his first start of the season and made four solo tackles and had his first career sack during the Raiders' 34–17 loss at the Baltimore Ravens. He sacked Ravens' quarterback Lamar Jackson for a four-yard loss in the first quarter.[10] The following week, Morrow collected a season-high seven solo tackles during a 40–33 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13. Morrow finished the 2018 NFL season with 43 combined tackles (30 solo), three pass deflections, one sack, and a forced fumble in 16 games and five starts.[11]

2019

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Morrow entered training camp as a backup outside linebacker after the Raiders signed free agents Vontaze Burfict and Brandon Marshall. He competed against Marquel Lee and Jason Cabinda to be the primary backup.[12] Head coach John Gruden named Morrow the backup weak side linebacker to begin the season, behind Marquel Lee.

In Week 5, Morrow earned his first start of the season, replacing an injured Marquel Lee, and recorded four solo tackles, deflected a pass, and made his first career interception as the Raiders defeated the Chicago Bears 24–21. Morrow intercepted a pass attempt by quarterback Chase Daniel, that was intended for wide receiver Allen Robinson, and returned it for an 11-yard gain in the first quarter.[13] Morrow remained the starter for eight consecutive games (Weeks 5–13), but was demoted for the last four games to backup after the Raiders signed Will Compton. On November 24, 2019, Morrow collected a season-high ten combined tackles (five solo) during a 34–3 loss at the New York Jets in Week 12. Morrow finished the 2019 NFL season with 67 combined tackles (49 solo), four pass deflections, and one interception in 16 games and eight starts.[14]

2020

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On March 18, 2020, the Las Vegas Raiders announced their decision to place a second round tender on Morrow.[15] On April 13, 2020, the Raiders signed Morrow to a one-year, $3.259 million contract.[16]

In Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football, Morrow led the team with 7 tackles and recorded his first interception of the season off a pass thrown by Drew Brees during the 34–24 win.[17] In Week 10 against the Denver Broncos, Morrow recorded his first sack of the season on Drew Lock during the 37–12 win.[18] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Raiders on December 24, 2020,[19] and activated on December 29.[20] In Week 17 against the Denver Broncos, Morrow recorded a season high 11 tackles and sacked Drew Lock once during the 32–31 win.[21]

2021

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On March 19, 2021, Morrow re-signed with the Raiders on a one-year contract.[22] He was placed on injured reserve on September 2, 2021.[23]

Chicago Bears

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On March 16, 2022, Morrow signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears.[24]

Philadelphia Eagles

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On March 21, 2023, Morrow signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.[25] He was released on August 29, 2023 and later re-signed to the practice squad.[26][27] He was promoted to the active roster on September 12, 2023.[28]

Buffalo Bills

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On March 14, 2024, Morrow signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills.[29]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sck SFTY PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR
2017 OAK 16 5 60 40 20 0.0 0 4 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
2018 OAK 16 5 43 30 13 1.0 0 3 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0
2019 OAK 16 8 73 53 20 0.0 0 4 1 11 11.0 11 0 0 0
2020 LV 14 11 78 62 16 3.0 0 9 1 6 6.0 6 0 1 1
2021 LV 0 0 Did not play due to injury
2022 CHI 17 17 116 83 33 0.0 0 2 1 5 5.0 5 0 0 0
2023 PHI 15 12 95 66 29 3.0 1 5 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 2
Career 94 58 465 334 131 7.0 1 27 3 22 7.3 11 0 3 3

Postseason

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sck SFTY PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR
2023 PHI 1 1 10 7 3 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
Career 1 1 10 7 3 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0

References

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  1. ^ "Nicholas Morrow NFL profile". NFL. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  2. ^ "Nicholas Morrow, DS #39 SS, Greenville". draftscout.com. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  3. ^ "Spotrac.com: Nicholas Morrow contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  4. ^ "Raiders Announce Undrafted Free Agent Signings". Raiders.com. May 5, 2017. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  5. ^ "Out of nowhere: The unlikely tale of Raiders rookie Nicholas Morrow". MercuryNews.com. August 24, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  6. ^ Damien, Levi (September 5, 2017). "Raiders release week 1 depth chart". silverandblackpride.com. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  7. ^ Reeve, Will (October 13, 2017). "Raiders to start Nicholas Morrow at MLB vs. Chargers". raiderswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  8. ^ "Pro Football Reference: Nicholas Morrow (2017)". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  9. ^ Mosher, Marcus (September 4, 2018). "Raiders announce their official depth chart for the 2018 season". raiderswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  10. ^ "Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Ravens - November 25th, 2018". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  11. ^ "Pro Football Reference: Nicholas Morrow (2018)". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  12. ^ Groat, Evan (August 7, 2019). "Nicholas Morrow has 'stood out' in Raiders camps most underrated position battle". silverandblackpride.com. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  13. ^ "Josh Jacobs rallies Raiders past Bears 24-21". ESPN. October 6, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  14. ^ "Pro Football Reference: Nicholas Morrow (2019)". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  15. ^ "Raiders tender three restricted free agents including Nicholas Morrow". goldengatesports.com. April 6, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  16. ^ "Raiders' Nicholas Morrow: Staying with Raiders". CBSSports.com. April 13, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  17. ^ "New Orleans Saints at Las Vegas Raiders - September 21st, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  18. ^ "Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders - November 15th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  19. ^ Damien, Levi (December 24, 2020). "Nicholas Morrow joins fellow starting LB Nick Kwiatkoski on Raiders reserve/COVID-19 list". USAToday.com. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  20. ^ Simmons, Myles (December 29, 2020). "Raiders activate Nicholas Morrow from COVID-19 list". NBCSports.com. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  21. ^ "Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos - January 3rd, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  22. ^ Raiders Public Relations (March 19, 2021). "Raiders re-sign LB Nicholas Morrow". Raiders.com. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  23. ^ "Raiders announce practice squad additions". Raiders.com. September 2, 2021.
  24. ^ Mayer, Larry (March 16, 2022). "Roster Move: Bears land free agent LB Morrow". ChicagoBears.com.
  25. ^ "Eagles agree to deal with Bears' free agent linebacker Nicholas Morrow". Eagles Wire. March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  26. ^ Spadaro, Dave; McPherson, Chris (August 29, 2023). "Eagles announce initial 53-man roster". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  27. ^ McPherson, Chris (September 4, 2023). "Eagles sign Nicholas Morrow, Tyre Phillips to the practice squad". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  28. ^ "Eagles sign Nicholas Morrow to the active roster, Rashaan Evans to the practice squad". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. September 12, 2023.
  29. ^ "Bills sign WR Mack Hollins & LB Nicholas Morrow to one-year deals". BuffaloBills.com. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
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