The Arizona Cardinals travel to Tampa Bay for their Week 13 road matchup against the Buccaneers after dropping three straight. Marvin Harrison Jr. has been absent from the lineup following emergency appendix surgery. How much longer will fantasy football managers be without their star wideout?
Marvin Harrison Jr. Injury Update
The situation developed suddenly before Arizona’s Week 11 contest against San Francisco. Head coach Jonathan Gannon announced Harrison underwent surgery for appendicitis and wouldn’t play against the 49ers.​
The exact timeframe for Harrison’s comeback remains uncertain. Appendicitis surgery typically requires a recovery period ranging from two to four weeks depending on the type of procedure performed and how quickly the player heals.​
Harrison has now missed two games, sitting out both Week 11 and Week 12. There is currently no timetable for his return. Gannon declined to provide an update on Harrison’s status for Week 13 when speaking with reporters.​
Historical precedent offers some guidance on potential timelines. Three players in recent years have dealt with similar appendicitis issues: Ben Roethlisberger, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Austin Hooper. Out of these, only Hooper missed multiple games, returning after a two-game absence. However, every case differs based on individual circumstances and complications.​
While it would be premature to declare his season over, it’s safe to say Harrison won’t play in Week 13. The Cardinals face Tampa Bay on Sunday, and Harrison’s absence seems certain given the lack of updates from the coaching staff.​
Gannon also placed receiver Simi Fehoko on injured reserve during this stretch, leaving Arizona severely shorthanded at the position. They already lost veteran Zay Jones to a torn Achilles earlier this season.​
Through nine games this season, Harrison caught 34 passes on 62 targets for 525 yards and four touchdowns. He dealt with injury issues earlier in the year as well, missing time with a concussion.​
Harrison’s Fantasy Outlook
During Harrison’s absence, Michael Wilson has ascended into the WR1 role and has been better than Harrison at any point in his two years in the NFL. Wilson has more fantasy points in his last two games than he had in his first nine combined.​
The numbers are staggering. Wilson posted back-to-back games of at least 10 receptions and over 100 receiving yards. Against the 49ers in Week 11, he hauled in 15 catches on 18 targets for 185 yards. Last week against Jacksonville, he recorded 10 receptions on 15 targets for 118 yards in the overtime loss. He’s seen 33 targets over that two-game span.​
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Even when Harrison returns, it’s impossible for the Cardinals to ignore what Wilson is accomplishing. He will maintain a strong role in the offense moving forward. But for right now, Wilson has to be viewed as a weekly WR1.​
Trey McBride continues serving as the top pass-catching option for quarterback Jacoby Brissett. McBride has been Arizona’s most consistent receiving threat this season and will continue seeing heavy volume regardless of Harrison’s status.​
Fantasy managers who drafted Harrison will need to continue finding alternative options for the foreseeable future. A Week 14 return against the Rams might represent the earliest realistic target, though the recovery timeline from appendicitis surgery varies by individual.​
