The Arizona Cardinals are finally stepping into the spotlight this NFL season, set to make their prime-time debut in Week 7.
They’ll clash with the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half of a “Monday Night Football” doubleheader, their lone prime-time appearance this year.
It’s been a season of improvement for the Cardinals’ offense, climbing from 24th in points per game last year to a respectable 17th in 2024.
At the heart of this offensive surge is rookie sensation Marvin Harrison Jr., the Cardinals’ prized No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
However, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the young star after he suffered a concussion in last week’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
There’s a glimmer of hope, though. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Harrison Jr. made significant progress on Friday, shedding his non-contact jersey and participating fully in practice after being limited on Thursday.
Cardinals rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. ditched the yellow non-contact jersey for a standard practice uniform Friday, and was a full participant in practice. pic.twitter.com/tyl16kYt7g
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 18, 2024
While this is certainly encouraging, he’s not out of the woods yet.
Harrison Jr. still needs to clear the league’s concussion protocol and get the green light from an independent neurologist before he can suit up for Monday night’s game.
The quick turnaround is raising eyebrows, especially when compared to teammate Trey McBride, who sat out a full week of practice after his own concussion.
Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon couldn’t hide his optimism, calling Harrison Jr.’s speedy recovery “really encouraging.”
It’s easy to see why the Cardinals are eager to have their rookie phenom back on the field.
Through six games, Harrison Jr. has already made his mark with 17 catches, 279 yards, and four touchdowns.
If he can clear the final hurdles of the concussion protocol, his presence could be a game-changer in the Cardinals’ prime-time showdown.
