Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie isn’t one to panic. Now two weeks into the regular season and he’s still sitting back waiting for a linebacker or two to emerge.

A bold move, for sure, but at least one member of the unheralded group seems to be answering the bell.

A year removed from D-III Greenville University, Nicholas Morrow was a surprise to even make the team. The Raiders may soon have no choice but to keep him on the field.

Morrow played only four snaps in the season opener, but made the most of the limited opportunity with a key third-down tackle in the backfield on DeMarco Murray.

In week two, the rookie played 25 snaps. He was the Raiders’ highest-graded linebacker against the Jets according to Pro Football Focus, and was particularly impressive in pass coverage.

https://twitter.com/OakRaiders_GM/status/909864227615105024

Morrow allowed just one reception against the Jets (on 15 coverage snaps) and it resulted in a three-yard loss.

https://twitter.com/OakRaiders_GM/status/909860863502254081

For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus has handed out mostly low grades for the Raiders linebacker group through two games. Morrow’s grade (80.4) is just ahead of Marquel Lee (71.9) and well above of Cory James (49.9) and Tyrell Adams (37.9).

twitter: @raidersbeat