The Arizona Cardinals have been without star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. for the last two weeks, but that’s opened the door for receiver Michael Wilson to shine.
Not many knew Wilson’s name three weeks ago, but he’s established himself as a competent receiver over the last two weeks.
The Cardinals may get their star receiver back in Week 13, so what does that mean for Wilson, who’s played like a star in Harrison’s absence?
What Will Michael Wilson’s Role Be With Marvin Harrison Healthy?
Wilson is in his third year in the NFL, and he’s been a decent WR3 throughout his career with the Cardinals. However, he has had to step up over the last couple of weeks, and he has excelled. The Cardinals receiver has 33 targets, 25 receptions, and 303 yards over his previous two games.
Wilson hasn’t just filled in as the No. 1 guy for the Cardinals; he’s looked like one of the top receivers in the NFL over the last two weeks.
However, Harrison is close to returning to the field, and when he does, what does that mean for Wilson?
Harrison has still been the Cardinals’ best graded receiver this season, according to PFSN’s WR Impact. The Cardinals’ star has a 74.6 grade this season compared to Wilson’s 73.9 grade. However, as expected, Wilson has graded his best two performances of the year in the last two weeks.
Coach Jonathan Gannon had a rather blunt response when asked if Wilson would continue to get more opportunities, even when Harrison returns.
“Yeah, throw it to the guys who are making plays for you. Absolutely,” Gannon said. That seems obvious based on Wilson’s production over the last two weeks. However, that’s not always how it goes when a guy fills in and then returns.
Harrison has missed the last two weeks after appendicitis surgery. However, the Cardinals receiver returned to practice this week and has been a limited participant both days.
“He’s looked good. He’s looked good. I was laughing with him yesterday; he’s got to get his wind back,” Gannon said. “But he moved around well, and he’s doing well.”
It appears that Harrison is on track to return, at least in a limited capacity, but the official game status report will be released on Friday afternoon.
As for Wilson, he’s preparing for another week, and he said before his first game without Harrison, the preparation doesn’t change. The only difference is that he expects the ball to come his way a little more often. However, as Wilson had the opportunity to take over the No. 1 receiver role, he has also grown closer to his quarterback.
Earlier this week, the Cardinals receiver recalled instances from the last couple of weeks where Jacoby Brissett would call or text him about a specific play that was run against the team Arizona is facing in a given week.
Brissett would give Wilson details of what he liked or didn’t like about the play and how they could connect on it in the game on Sunday.
“The catch that put me over 100 yards when I caught the corner (route) over Deommador (Lenoir), he sent me that clip,” Wilson said. “Deommador had tried to slice it, and he’s like, ‘Hey, I see if we call this play, I see them trying to slice us. So just trust that you’re going to beat him over the top.’
“He sent me that with the voice-over. I can show you the text right now, and it played out exactly like that.”
That was against the San Francisco 49ers, and Wilson said Brissett does that all the time. His quarterback will call him for a couple of minutes here and there to discuss a specific play he’s seen on film.
“I always log those – write them down – that way it’s on the forefront of my mind when I’m playing the game,” Wilson said. That connection has been pivotal in Wilson’s success since Harrison’s absence. That’s why, not only is Wilson not surprised by the output, but he also knows how to maintain it.
“I’m never surprised when that stuff shows up on Sunday because I’m a firm believer in preparation, and playing with him is like – we’re on our P’s and Q’s,” Wilson said. “He’s just a phenomenal person, phenomenal player; really easy to play with. Just his communication – like he just sends me so many clips.”
The Cardinals don’t know yet if Harrison will return in Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but Wilson will be prepared to show up regardless.
