Will “The General” be ready to lead Jackson State in the SWAC Championship Game?
The health and playing status of veteran quarterback JaCobian Morgan remains one of the biggest questions leading up to the Tigers’ matchup on Saturday versus SWAC West champion Prairie View.
“He’s been moving around as best he can,” head coach T.C. Taylor said this week. “We’ll continue to evaluate him, but just like in previous weeks, we’re going to get Jared ready to play. We’re not making excuses, and we know what each brings to the team. If we have both, that’s a luxury. If not, we’ll be ready.”
Morgan has not played since sustaining a leg injury versus Grambling State in October. Before his absence, Morgan, the team’s captain, tallied 1,183 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, with just two interceptions on the season.
If Morgan is once again unable to go, freshman quarterback Jared Lockhart will continue to lead the offense. He is 5-0 as a starter this season, including tallying a win over rival Alcorn State in the regular season finale to help JSU clinch the SWAC East title.
Morgan participated in practice leading up to the game against Alcorn State and reportedly went through a pregame warm-up just before kickoff.
Taylor acknowledged the importance of protecting his Morgan, even if the quarterback is eager to compete.
“We’d have to sit down as coaches. It’s a lot going into that,” Taylor said. “We’ve got to get the nod that he can play. It’s hard to say that when so much uncertainty, can he play or not?”