Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will be absent from the Arizona Cardinals lineup after undergoing surgery for appendicitis on Monday night. The team announced that Harrison will miss the upcoming game against the San Francisco 49ers and could be sidelined for a longer period.
Harrison has recorded 34 receptions for 525 yards and four touchdowns this season, ranking second on the team in each category behind tight end Trey McBride.
“It’s life in the NFL,” said head coach Jonathan Gannon. “It’s our job to put a plan together and get ready to go out and compete and win. That’s the job.”
The Cardinals are also dealing with other injuries among their wide receivers. Simi Fehoko, who sustained an arm injury during Sunday’s game in Seattle, has been placed on Injured Reserve. Additionally, Zay Jones, who suffered a torn Achilles as confirmed by Gannon, was officially moved to IR.
With these changes, Michael Wilson is set to become the team’s top receiver alongside McBride as primary targets for quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
“Maybe there is a little more anticipation of getting the rock a little more and knowing the ball is going to be coming my way because I know I’m the first read on a lot of plays,” Wilson said. “But in terms of the way I play the game, I don’t think it changes. My job description is still the same: run fast, get open, catch the football and be a good teammate.”
To address roster needs, Andre Baccellia was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster on Wednesday. The team also signed former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Jalen Virgil to its practice squad.
Currently, healthy receivers available for Sunday include Wilson, Greg Dortch, Xavier Weaver, and Baccellia. Practice squad options are Tejhuan Palmer, Jalen Brooks, and Virgil.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett commented on how other receivers will have opportunities due to these injuries: “Shoot, that’s how I got to where I am playing right now.” He added: “The level of focus for me has to pick up a little more because some of those guys haven’t been out with me for awhile.”
McBride addressed his role amid depleted receiving options: “I think about doing my job the highest way I can,” he said. “I do know we are down a few receivers so I need to step up but I just think about doing my job and catching the ball.”
In addition to changes at wide receiver, cornerback Jaden Davis was re-signed to the practice squad as Max Melton and Will Johnson continue recovering from injuries.
