Natalie Morales is ready to talk…

The 49-year-old half-Puerto Rican journalist, who announced today she is leaving NBC News after 22 years, is expected to join CBS’ The Talk as a permanent co-host, according to Deadline.

CBS has declined to comment on the news reported by The Daily Mail.

Morales would take up the last open spot on the daytime talk show, joining fellow co-hosts Sheryl Underwood, Amanda Kloots, Jerry O’Connell and Akbar Gbajabiamila.

Gbajabiamila joined the panel last month, following the exits of Carrie Ann Inaba, Elaine Welteroth and Sharon Osbourne, who had been fired in March after sparking a media firestorm over comments she had made on air.

Inaba and Welteroth exited the show in August.

The Talk returned on September 13 for its 12th season.

Morales joined NBC’s Today in 2006 and went on to appear on other NBC News programs including NBC Nightly News and Dateline.

She will continue to appear on Dateline through the end of the year.