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
GLENDALE – After missing the previous two weeks due to a heel injury, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. gets some encouraging news on a possible Week 16 return. Head coach Jonathan Gannon announced on Wednesday to the media that Paris Johnson Jr. and Jalen Thompson will miss the home finale vs. the Atlanta Hawks, but everyone else will practice to see how they progress.
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Wednesday’s practice was a walkthrough, no contract for Harrison to test out his heel. However, the previous two weeks have had the 23-year-old ruled out by midweek, making this encouraging news.
Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
What a Harrison return means for Cardinals?
Harrison has missed four of Arizona’s last five games. In those matchups, the offense has scored 20.75 points per game, while the defense has allowed 38.25 in those games. The second-year wide receiver can’t do much to help lower the defensive number, but his eventual return should help increase the scoring margin for the Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) drops a pass while being hit by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sept. 25, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Arizona has failed to score 30+ points in a game this season, and Week 16 doesn’t look to change that fact against a touted Atlanta defense. The Falcons have the ninth-best passing defense and average the second-most sacks per game with 3.4. The Cardinals have been one of the best passing offenses in the NFL but have struggled to finish drives.
The return of a 6’3, 220-pound target for quarterback Jacoby Brissett could be the missing key for the offense to start reaching the endzone instead of settling for field goals.
Jacoby Brissett hasn’t seen Cardinals players quits unlike a previous team
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
