The Arizona Cardinals have a ton of changes since last year’s debacle of losing the most games in a single season in their 127-year franchise history.
New head coach, new offensive coordinator, new QB coach, new offensive quality control coach, new running backs coach, and new receivers coach. And that’s just the offensive side of the ball.
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The new head coach, Mike LaFleur, is offensive-minded. He had a bucket list of what he needed from the franchise
as they advanced the offense. GM Monti Ossenfort worked in the offseason and did a good job of addressing holes and bringing in new talent.
But there was plenty with the offensive unit that LaFleur wasn’t contesting and readied to coach.
Tight end Trey McBride was a huge plus. So was the receiver room. Michael Wilson had a career year as McBride was named to his second Pro Bowl and voted First Team All-Pro. Marv Harrison was the fourth overall draft pick two drafts ago and won just about every receiver award in college.
Harrison’s rookie season was typical. He gained 885 yards and scored eight touchdowns. Last year? That was a different story. His second season was marred by injuries throughout the year.
And now, Harrison finally opened up about his injury situation going into the summer.
Only on Tuesday, for the first time since the end of the 2025 season, Harrison was asked about his health and if any of last year’s injuries are lingering. He told ESPN Arizona:
“I guess it’s an ongoing process still. I don’t think it’s going to linger into next season, for sure.”
Harrison had a concussion and had surgery for appendicitis, but the issue at this point is the two heel injuries he suffered. Is this area solved?
After a concussion in Week 6 and appendicitis after Week 10, he suffered the first heel injury in the Week 13 away loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That forced a two-game absence. In Week 17 versus the Cincinnati Bengals, Harrison hurt his foot, which knocked him out for good as he ended up on IR.
Injuries undercut Harrison’s entire season, but the concussion and appendicitis were temporary. Now, Harrison is stating that there may be lingering effects with his heel and foot.
He stated:
“The thing with your feet, you use them all the time. That makes the process take probably a little longer than maybe usually.”
These injuries are a sign of playing at a higher level. Throughout Harrison’s playing life, he has never missed a game because of an injury. And he played in a tough conference while at Ohio State.
Harrison explained regarding his durability:
“I’ve never not played. It sucks not playing. You want to be out there, you want to be with your teammates, you want to compete, you want to win, but I definitely learned a lot from not being able to play.”
Does Harrison believe his issues from last season will prevent him from coming to training camp next month? And what about being ready for Week 1?
He surmised:
“I don’t think it’s going to linger into (this) season, for sure. So, just doing the best I can to make sure my body’s right week in and week out. I feel like if I’m out there, everything else is going to take care of itself.”
The Cardinals are hoping that this new offense is going to pay off in a big way. It is successful in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Green Bay, and Houston. By the way, all four of these clubs made the playoffs last year. The success is undeniable with their offenses.
But it takes capable bodies.
Receivers have to be able to run straight and then make sudden cuts. There is an acceleration factor, as well as being able to decelerate.
LaFleur is banking on a new offense that features McBride, rookie RB Jeremiyah Love plus veteran Tyler Allgeier, a revamped offensive line, and receivers Wilson, Kendrick Bourne, and Harrison.
