Tracy Morgan Is 'Working Hard to Get Well,' Says Lawyer

Still recovering from a tragic 2014 car crash, the star is not yet ready for work

Published on February 18, 2015 02:00 PM

While dozens of cast members returned to the Saturday Night Live stage for the show’s star-studded 40th anniversary special on Sunday, one veteran comic was a no-show: Tracy Morgan.

“Tracy would have loved to have been there, but he just isn’t up for it at this point,” says a source close to the production about Morgan, who continues to struggle after suffering a traumatic brain injury in a multi-vehicle highway crash on last June.

Although Morgan is getting help in regular physical, speech and cognitive therapy sessions, and has been making “slow progress” according to his attorney Benedict Morelli, he isn’t healthy enough to work.

“He’s still struggling with rehab to get better,” Morelli tells PEOPLE. “He’s working hard to get well.”

In addition to cognitive impairments, Morgan suffered broken bones and facial fractures when a limousine bus carrying the comic and five others was involved in a six-vehicle accident on the New Jersey Turnpike. Police said the accident, which killed 62-year-old comedian James "Jimmy Mack" McNair, was caused by a Walmart truck driver who didn’t see traffic slowing in front of his 18-wheeler until it was too late.

Although Morgan couldn’t take part in the SNL 40th anniversary show, he was there in spirit when his 30 Rock costars Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin honored him from the stage.

“I wish my friend Tracy Morgan was here tonight, and I know that he was hoping that he was well enough to be here too,” Fey said on air. Added Baldwin, “See you at the 41st, Tracy!”