At Cardinals training camp (July 26), Marvin Harrison Jr. dazzles with Kyler Murray, but defensive injuries mount. Get the latest on the rookie star's rise.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Day three of Cardinals training camp felt like a highlight reel and a medical report rolled into one. On one side of the ball, Marvin Harrison Jr. put on a clinic, looking every bit the generational talent fans have been dreaming of. But on the other, the injury bug has bitten early and hard, casting a significant shadow over the defense and leaving coaches with some serious questions just as camp gets underway.
Marvin Harrison Jr. was simply dominant, showcasing improved physicality and an electric connection with Kyler Murray that has become the talk of camp.
Forget easing into the pros. Marvin Harrison Jr. is already taking over. The rookie wideout was the undisputed star of Saturday's practice, making several highlight-reel catches that lit up the field in Glendale. Observers noted his crisp route-running and, perhaps more importantly, the added muscle he packed on this offseason. He was consistently winning contested catches and displaying an almost telepathic chemistry with quarterback Kyler Murray. If this is a sign of things to come, the Cardinals' passing attack is going to be a problem for the rest of the league.
While the offense was celebrating, the defensive staff was likely holding its breath. In a cruel case of déjà vu, the Cardinals' first-round pick, defensive tackle Walter Nolen, is sidelined with a calf injury suffered just before camp. It's a frustrating echo of last year's situation. To make matters worse, key defensive linemen BJ Ojulari and Bilal Nichols were also placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, leaving the defensive front alarmingly thin. The injury woes don't stop there, as the cornerback room is also banged up, with multiple players limited or sitting out drills. The team will have to rely on players like Darius Robinson to step up, but the lack of depth is an immediate and major concern.
It wasn't all bad news. The Cardinals received a huge boost with the full return of right tackle Jonah Williams. After missing most of 2024 with a devastating knee injury, Williams is back to full participation, expressing his excitement to finally focus on football instead of rehab. His presence provides crucial stability and depth to the offensive line. Additionally, there was a sigh of relief regarding linebacker J.J. Russell. After a scary collision on Thursday, Coach Gannon confirmed Russell is 'good' and has returned to the facility, though he remains in concussion protocol as a precaution.
With fans in the stands and the NFL Network broadcasting live for 'Back Together Weekend,' the intensity in Glendale is ramping up. Head Coach Jonathan Gannon is overseeing a camp filled with intriguing position battles, not just at receiver but also at running back. The national coverage offers a great opportunity for fans everywhere to get a look at the 2025 squad, from the star rookies to the veterans battling for a roster spot. It's a reminder that even with the injury concerns, the journey to the regular season is officially in full swing.
The early days of camp have presented a clear narrative: the offense, led by the dynamic duo of Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr., has the potential to be explosive. The critical question is whether the defense can get healthy enough to hold up its end of the bargain. The next few weeks will be crucial for monitoring the recoveries of Nolen, Ojulari, and the host of injured cornerbacks. For now, Cardinals fans can cling to the electrifying plays of their new star receiver and hope the training room traffic slows down soon.
