Cardinals’ Mike LaFleur unconcerned by Marvin Harrison Jr.’s Week 1 stat line

Arizona Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur isn’t pushing the panic button over wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.’s low output in Sunday’s victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Harrison was targeted just three times, finishing with one catch for 33 yards. Despite the light workload for Arizona’s high-profile receiver, LaFleur brushed off concerns about Harrison’s involvement when he met with reporters on Monday.

“I wouldn’t look too much into the targets and all that kind of stuff,” LaFleur said. “It was just kind of how the game unfolded. We’re always gonna do what we think is best in terms of putting our players in position to be successful that makes sense against the coverages and scheme that we’re going against.”

Instead of forcing the ball to Harrison, quarterback Jacoby Brissett spread the wealth across Arizona’s receiving corps. Tight end Trey McBride led the way with a game-high 13 targets, followed by Kendrick Bourne (eight), Michael Wilson (seven) and rookie running back Jeremiyah Love (four).

Harrison’s afternoon got off to a bumpy start when he dropped his first target, though Brissett threw slightly behind the running receiver, missing a crisp connection. On his third and final target of the day, Brissett threw high and out of bounds along the sideline.

However, Harrison’s lone catch proved to be a spectacular play. In the third quarter, he tracked down a deep pass for a beautiful 33-yard over-the-shoulder grab along the boundary.

“I’ll tell you what that was a huge play and a great throw,” LaFleur said. “Obviously to get that ball up and down on the sideline, it just looked right.”

While film review showed plenty of instances where Harrison created separation and appeared open, the stat line remained slim.

Every route ran by Marvin Harrison Jr. from Week 1⤵️ pic.twitter.com/BMFCkU9vWI

— Pete Bartausky (@petebartausky) September 14, 2026

Modest production has been an ongoing trend early in Harrison’s professional career. Through 29 games, the 2024 No. 4 overall pick has recorded 103 receptions, averaging just 3.5 catches per contest. In fact, he has eclipsed seven catches in a game only once in his career.

Even as fans and analysts question why the explosive receiver isn’t featured more consistently, LaFleur remains steadfast that the offense will take what defenses give them rather than forcing volume to a single target.

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