TEMPE — It takes a lot for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to miss a football game.

Having missed just one game in college — Ohio State’s Cotton Bowl loss in 2023 with the NFL Draft looming — and appearing in every NFL tilt until a couple weeks ago, availability and Harrison go hand in hand.

And if missing games was already tough for Harrison, this recent stretch takes the cake for most frustrating given the randomness of appendicitis “that came out of nowhere” the Monday before Week 11’s game against San Francisco.

Instead of getting prepped for the 49ers, Harrison was suddenly getting prepped for surgery.

But after two weeks away from football activity, Harrison’s ramping things up in hopes of a return as early as this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“Some things feel uncomfortable. Some things feel kinda normal.”

Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. on his practice ramp-up this week after missing the past two games due to an appendectomy ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/XhBxyDTuo0

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) November 28, 2025

“Some things feel uncomfortable and some things feel kind of normal,” Harrison said Friday.

“It was a long two weeks obviously but feels good to be back out here,” the wide receiver added. “Just trying to take it day by day with everything.”

Will Cardinals’ Marvin Harrison Jr. return vs. Buccaneers?

Harrison took a big step forward this week logging three days of practice, albeit in a limited fashion.

He’s looked a lot like himself upon his return, leading off individual drills and continuing to get reps in with quarterback Jacoby Brissett.

His status for Sunday remains up in the air, though, with Harrison officially questionable for the tilt.

If he can go, Harrison would at the very least give Brissett another top option to consider alongside Trey McBride and Michael Wilson.

A return would also make for an interesting look into how offensive coordinator Drew Petzing might divvy up touches given Wilson’s emergence filling in for Harrison as Arizona’s WR1.

As Brissett said on Wednesday, Petzing’s got his work cut out for him when it comes to making sure Wilson isn’t an afterthought and other playmakers like Greg Dortch still get their looks upon Harrison’s return.

Wilson has more than earned the right for more looks, with or without Harrison on the field, thanks to his two-game stretch of 303 yards on 25 receptions.

“I always knew what Mike was capable of and then obviously having Trey as well,” Harrison said. “I always have full confidence in all our skill guys and we can go out there and make plays when given an opportunity.

“I’ve been playing with great receivers my whole life,” the wide receiver added. “This is nothing new for me. I’m excited. I love playing with other guys that I know can go out there and make plays.”

And if Harrison does in fact have to miss another game, Wilson is expected to once again be a busy man against a Buccaneers defense that is allowing the sixth most yards (243.5) and eighth most points (25.8) per game through 12 weeks. Tampa Bay has also allowed 19 touchdowns through the air.

Yes, Vita Vea is a game wrecker along the interior and Tampa Bay is tied for sixth in interceptions (10), but given the Cardinals change in offensive approach behind the arm of Brissett — plus Tampa Bay being just outside the top 5 in run defense — that’s a big area to exploit this week.

Harrison would help mightily in that department. But for all Cardinals fighting their way back into the lineup, it’s all about being mentally and physically ready to play as head coach Jonathan Gannon says.

“He’s look good. I was laughing with him yesterday, he’s got to get his wind back, but I think he’s moved around well,” Gannon said Friday. “He’s doing well.”