GLENDALE – The return of Marvin Harrison Jr. to Arizona Cardinals practice field comes at and interesting time for the offense. Two weeks following his appendicitis surgery, Harrison returned Wednesday running routes in practice and looks better than ever. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett spoke about how happy he is to see his wide receiver back in action. However, could Harrison’s return be detrimental to a fellow wide receiver on the roster?
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Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) against the Green Bay Packers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jacoby Brissett on Harrison’s return to practice:
The quick answer is no, the former fourth overall pick is an essential piece of Arizona’s offense and was deeply miss in the team’s last two losses. The long-form answer is complicated because of the meteoric rise of wide receiver Michael Wilson. In the past two weeks, Wilson has recorded 25 catches for 303 receiving yards. These performances are putting the 25-year-old in Cardinals history with some of the best wide receivers the franchise ever had.
When Harrison was on the field, Wilson goes from averaging 12.5 catches and 151.5 yards per game to 2.4 catches and 25.7 yards per game. If only including games where Brissett was the starter, the numbers have a slight improvement going to 3.5 receptions and 44.8 yards per game.
Arizona Cardinals receiver Michael Wilson (14) signals a first down after his catch against the Jacksonville Jaguars at State Farm Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025.
Arizona lost Harrison and wide receiver Zay Jones in Week 10 due to injury, allowing these last two weeks to be the Wilson show. His target rate has tripled these past two weeks, and the return of Harrison could halt Wilson’s rise to superstardom. It isn’t the 23-year-old’s fault that Wilson isn’t getting the ball when on the field. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing hasn’t put Wilson in position to have these types of games when everyone is healthy.
Arizona Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) celebrates a touchdown by teammate Emari Demercado (31) to tie the game at 20-20 against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sept. 25, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Playing from behind doesn’t help, but regardless, the offense is averaging 50 pass attempts in the last three weeks. Brissett is throwing the ball more than ever, most notably in Week 11 vs. the San Francisco 49ers throwing a career-high 57 pass attempts. In games with Harrison, Brissett’s pass attempts dips to 38.8 per game.
Harrison and Wilson can be compatible with one another in the pass game. A team can never have to many offensive weapons. The Cardinals need to do a better job of using their talent when everyone is healthy, as it will be the only way the team can start turning this season around.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
