The Arizona Cardinals are finalizing a deal to trade wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., according to sources speaking to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The team informed Harrison this morning that he will be inactive for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions while the details of the trade are completed.
Schefter noted that Harrison’s time in Arizona is effectively done, with the Cardinals comfortable enough in the outcome that they are holding him out of the Week 5 matchup. No deal is expected to be officially announced until after Sunday’s games conclude.
Marvin Harrison Jr. 2026 Stats and Recent Struggles
Harrison, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, has had a disappointing start to the 2026 season. Through four games he has just five receptions for 85 yards and one touchdown on 12 targets. Those targets rank only fifth on the Cardinals, behind tight end Trey McBride, receivers Michael Wilson and Kendrick Bourne, and running back Jeremiyah Love.
His career numbers tell a more mixed story. As a rookie in 2024 he posted 62 catches for 885 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2025 he was limited to 12 games by injuries and finished with 41 receptions for 608 yards and four scores. Through three seasons he has 108 catches, 1,578 yards, and 13 touchdowns.
Trade speculation intensified after Harrison hired agents Todd France and Tory Dandy on September 23 (he previously had no agent). Reports in the weeks leading up to the Schefter news indicated the Cardinals were seeking a second-round pick or better, possibly with an additional mid-round selection, though some league sources had valued him closer to a Day 3 pick given the recent production dip.
Why the Cardinals Are Moving Marvin Harrison Jr.
Arizona enters the decision under first-year head coach Mike LaFleur (hired after Jonathan Gannon’s firing) with a 1-3 record. The offense has shown flashes but ranks near the bottom of the league in explosive plays. Harrison’s route-running and consistency have been cited in earlier reports as areas of concern, and the team appears ready for a roster reset while he remains on his rookie contract through at least 2027.
Holding him out Sunday signals the deal is advanced enough that Arizona does not want him contributing against the Lions. The move also clears space and targets for other skill players in a unit already leaning on McBride and Wilson.
Potential Trade Destinations and Return
The Houston Texans have been linked to Harrison in recent talks, with Schefter reporting they have been “square in the mix.” One Texans source was non-committal when asked. The Indianapolis Colts—whose franchise legend is Harrison’s father—performed due diligence but are not expected to acquire him.
Other teams had monitored the situation for weeks as the November 10 trade deadline approached. The final return remains unknown, but Arizona’s reported asking price of a second-rounder plus additional assets suggests they are not simply dumping the former top-five pick.
What This Means for Harrison and the Cardinals
A fresh start could help Harrison regain the form that made him a high draft pick and productive rookie. For the Cardinals, the trade accelerates a rebuild under LaFleur and general manager Monti Ossenfort, potentially adding draft capital while reallocating resources around McBride and the running game.
Fans and fantasy managers should watch for the official announcement after Sunday’s games. Until then, Harrison is confirmed inactive against Detroit, and the Cardinals continue their season without the player many expected to be a cornerstone.
This developing story highlights how quickly production and fit can shift a top prospect’s trajectory in the NFL. Further details on the destination and compensation are expected imminently.