The Arizona Cardinals find themselves in a state of limbo again. Their 2nd-year wide receiver, Marvin Harrison Jr., hasn’t suited up in two weeks, nursing a heel injury that won’t quit. With Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons looming, his status has become one of the biggest question marks for the team.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon said last week that Harrison is “doing a lot better” and expressed hope he’d play again this season. But there are only 3 games left in their season, and there’s still no firm timeline on his return. No concrete updates, just wait-and-see.

Harrison’s 2025 season has been pure chaos. First came a concussion in week 6, but he managed to get back the next week. Then he had to undergo an appendectomy in Week 11 that knocked him out for two games. He returned briefly, but then his heel injury sidelined him for Weeks 14 and 15.

Where Does Cardinals Still Lack Elite Talent?

Let Tony do the scouting, you just make the pick.

Pick your positions. Get Tony’s top 5:

C

CB

DE

DT

FB

G

ILB

OLB

P

PK

QB

RB

S

T

TE

WR

View Tony’s Picks

The heel issue isn’t minor either. It kept a 2024 first-round pick off the field through a critical stretch while the Cardinals tried to close out games with a few wins. But now, with Arizona mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, the smart play might just be to shut Marvin Harrison Jr. down entirely. Risking long-term damage in the last stretch for a 3-11 team may not be what the Cardinals are planning on now.

The Cardinals haven’t yet officially released any updates on their Week 16 injury report, leaving Harrison’s status questionable. There have been no practice participation updates, no press conference clarity; just silence while the clock ticks towards Sunday’s game.

But Harrison’s availability is just one piece of Arizona’s injury nightmare. The bigger picture of their locker room doesn’t leave much room for hope in the last three weeks of the regular season either.

The Cardinals’ injury woes behind Marvin Harrison Jr.

Beyond Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona’s injury report feels like a hospital census. Quarterback Kyler Murray remains on the season-ending injury reserve with a foot injury. The Cardinals will rely on Jacoby Brissett in his absence, with no franchise quarterback for the stretch run. Running backs Bam Knight (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee) remain on the IR, gutting the backfield.

The offensive line isn’t doing so well either. Will Hernandez (hip) is on the IR. Paris Johnson Jr. (knee) and Jonah Williams (shoulder) are both questionable as per ESPN’s injury update on December 16. Protecting whoever’s under center has become a patchwork operation.

Altogether, seven stars, including Marvin Harrison Jr. remain questionable for the Week 16 clash with the Falcons. But the latest blow to the offense has been wide receiver Andre Baccellia’s placement on the IR with a neck injury.

With nothing left to play for except draft positioning, Sunday’s game against Atlanta feels more like survival mode than competition. The best possible move forward? Protect who’s left standing, get to January, and start the rebuild.