Marvin Harrison Jr. is poised to make his return to the Arizona Cardinals lineup in Week 16 after missing the past two games with a heel injury. According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the talented wide receiver is expected to suit up Sunday when the Cardinals host the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium.
The comeback marks a significant moment for Harrison, who has battled multiple health setbacks throughout his sophomore season. His heel injury kept him sidelined since Week 13 when he suffered the ailment during the Cardinals’ matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Injury status and practice participation
Despite being officially listed as questionable on the team’s injury report, all indications point toward Harrison being active for Sunday’s 2:05 p.m. MST kickoff. The receiver participated in practice every day during the week leading up to the game, demonstrating progress in his recovery.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon acknowledged the challenging nature of Harrison’s injury during his Friday press conference. The coaching staff has worked closely with the receiver to manage his rehabilitation, and Harrison has shown determination in pushing through the discomfort to get back on the field.
Harrison himself addressed the limitations the heel injury created. Deceleration proved particularly problematic, making it difficult to change directions quickly. While running in straight lines posed less difficulty, the cutting and stopping motions essential for a receiver’s route running remained challenging with the heel issue.
Difficult second season continues
Harrison’s 2025 campaign has fallen short of the high expectations that followed his disappointing rookie year. The former fourth overall pick was projected to make a substantial leap in his sophomore season, but a combination of injuries, inconsistent opportunities and overall performance struggles has raised more questions than provided answers.
The receiver has dealt with a concussion earlier in the season during a game against the Indianapolis Colts, though he avoided missing additional time from that injury. More significantly, he underwent appendicitis surgery that forced him to miss two games, adding to the frustration of an already challenging year.
Through the games he has played, Harrison has compiled 40 receptions for 594 yards and four touchdowns. While those numbers represent solid production, they fall below the expectations for a player of his draft pedigree and talent level.
Michael Wilson’s emergence complicates picture
During Harrison’s recent absence, fellow receiver Michael Wilson has seized the opportunity to showcase his abilities. Wilson has been dominant since Week 11, accumulating 44 catches for 535 yards and three touchdowns. His emergence creates an interesting dynamic for offensive coordinator Drew Petzing as he navigates the final three games of the season.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett praised Wilson’s consistency and reliability, highlighting the trust the team has developed in the receiver. Wilson’s strong performance in Harrison’s absence raises questions about target distribution once the former first-round pick returns to full health.
Playing through adversity
Harrison acknowledged that he will likely be managing the heel injury for the remainder of the season. Rather than letting the discomfort derail his focus, he expressed determination to simply enjoy the opportunity to play and help his teammates.
The Cardinals sit at 3-11 on the season and currently hold the sixth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. With playoff hopes long extinguished, the final three games provide opportunities for evaluation and building momentum toward next season.
For Harrison, getting back on the field allows him to finish the year strong and put positive performances on tape. The remaining games give him chances to demonstrate growth despite the challenges he has faced throughout the campaign.
Other injury concerns
The Cardinals will be without several key players for Sunday’s game. Previously ruled out are Evan Brown for personal reasons, Darren Hall with a concussion, Paris Johnson Jr. with a knee injury, Max Melton with a heel issue and Jalen Thompson due to a hamstring problem.
Several other players join Harrison with questionable designations, including L.J. Collier, Cody Simon, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson and Xavier Weaver, all dealing with various lower-body injuries.
This article is based on reporting from Arizona Cardinals On SI and ESPN.