Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had a tough start to his NFL career, and it seems both he and the team are fully aware of the challenges he faced. The fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft made his much-anticipated debut in a 34-28 Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills, but his performance fell short of expectations.
In his debut, Harrison was targeted three times but managed to haul in just one catch for a mere four yards.
Reflecting on his first game, Harrison didn’t sugarcoat his feelings. “Obviously, it wasn’t great,” he said during a recent interview with reporters. “It definitely wasn’t what I expected or what I wanted. And it’s certainly not what the team wanted. We came out looking for a victory, and that didn’t happen.”
Harrison admitted that he felt he could have done more to help the team’s offense, acknowledging that it’s his responsibility to make plays. “I’ve got to get open and catch the ball. That’s my job as a receiver, and I need to do a better job,” Harrison stated.
While his debut was far from ideal, there’s little doubt that Harrison has the potential to improve as he gets more comfortable in the NFL. Prior to Week 1, Harrison saw limited preseason action, logging just three snaps in the Cardinals’ first preseason game against the New Orleans Saints and sitting out the remaining two games. Despite this rocky start, the rookie has an opportunity for redemption when the Cardinals take on the LA Rams this Sunday.
Harrison Jr., the son of Hall of Fame wide receiver and Colts legend Marvin Harrison, comes to the NFL with an impressive collegiate resume. During his time at Ohio State, he caught 150 passes for 2,495 yards and 31 touchdowns, making him one of the top prospects in the 2024 draft.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon acknowledged the difficulties of Harrison’s debut but expressed confidence that the young receiver will bounce back as he gains more experience in the league. For now, both the player and the team will look ahead to Week 2, hoping for a better outcome.
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