Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had a disappointing NFL debut, finishing with just one catch for 4 yards in a 34-28 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Marvin Harrison Jr.'s first professional football game was a far cry from the fairy tale he had envisioned. The No. 4 overall pick out of Ohio State had just one catch for 4 yards and was targeted only three times in the Arizona Cardinals' 34-28 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
The Bills paid close attention to Harrison on defense, double-teaming him for a majority of the game. This left quarterback Kyler Murray with little choice but to look for other options.
Harrison acknowledged that his debut was not what he had hoped for: "Obviously, it wasn't great. It definitely wasn't what I expected or what I wanted to happen, what the team wanted to happen."
Despite Harrison's lack of production, quarterback Kyler Murray expressed confidence in the rookie: "Nothing changes. We've got the utmost confidence in what we're capable of doing."
Coach Jonathan Gannon echoed Murray's sentiments, stating that Harrison "will be fine. He'll get back at it and go to work."
Harrison's poor performance raised questions about head coach Gannon's decision to sit the rookie for the majority of the preseason. Harrison played just one series in the first exhibition game against the Saints but was otherwise benched alongside Murray, who did not play in any of the three preseason contests.
Harrison acknowledged the difference between NFL game action and preseason practices: "You do a lot of things in shirts and shorts, then you go to practice and you've got pads on, you've got joint practices with the Colts, but there's nothing like live action."
However, he understood Gannon's decision to keep several starters out of the preseason games: "We all feel really healthy, and that's the most important thing."
The Cardinals are now preparing for the Los Angeles Rams, who have won 13 of 15 matchups against Arizona since 2017. Harrison hopes to contribute to a reversal of that trend: "I've got to get open and catch the ball. That's my job as a receiver. That's my job description."
Despite his disappointing debut, Harrison remains confident in his abilities and the support of his teammates: "I know I'm capable of being a great player in this league. I just have to keep working hard and get better."
