Marvin Harrison Jr.’s Post-Appendicitis Surgery Return Timeline Announced

Marvin Harrison Jr., the wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, underwent surgery this week to address appendicitis. As reported by team insider Darren Urban, this medical procedure will sideline him for the upcoming game against the San Francisco 49ers, and he may be out for an extended period.

Impact on the Cardinals’ Offense

Harrison is in his second NFL season after being drafted fourth overall by the Cardinals in the 2024 NFL Draft. The talented player, who hails from a family with a strong football legacy—his father is famed Indianapolis Colts Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison—has made significant contributions since joining the team.

Performance Statistics

During his rookie season, Harrison emerged as the Cardinals’ primary wide receiver, recording:

• 62 receptions
• 885 receiving yards
• 8 touchdowns

This year, he has maintained a solid performance, boasting:

• 34 receptions
• 525 receiving yards
• 4 touchdowns

Despite not reaching the dominance many anticipated in his second year, Harrison was on track to meet or exceed his rookie performance totals.

Wide Receiver Depth Concerns

Currently, the Cardinals hold a 3-6 record and struggle with depth at the wide receiver position. With Harrison’s absence, the team’s situation worsens.

Key injuries include:

• Xavier Weaver, who missed the last game due to an ankle injury
• Zay Jones, now out for the season with a torn Achilles
• Simi Fehoko, who is expected to miss time with an arm injury

This leaves Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch as the only healthy wide receivers on the 53-man roster. Wilson, a 2023 third-round draft pick, has 22 receptions for 231 yards, while Dortch has made 15 catches for 73 yards.

Potential Solutions for the Cardinals

Given the recent injuries, the Cardinals may need to call up receivers Tejhaun Palmer, Andre Baccellia, and Jalen Brooks from the practice squad. This situation may require quarterback Jacoby Brissett to rely heavily on tight end Trey McBride and running back Emari Demercado for offensive production in Sunday’s game.

As the team navigates these challenges, it remains to be seen how they will adapt to Harrison’s absence and their overall wide receiver struggles.