How Marvin Harrison Jr.’s absence impacts Michael Wilson, Trey McBride

TEMPE — Injuries continue to plague the Arizona Cardinals in 2025, with Marvin Harrison Jr.’s sudden appendicitis surgery just the latest example.

Toss in Zay Jones’ torn Achilles suffered in last week’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks and Simi Fehoko’s injured reserve stint with an arm issue, and Arizona’s wide receivers room is beyond light ahead of a divisional game against the San Francisco 49ers.

After signing wide receiver Andre Baccellia on Wednesday, the Cardinals now have just four healthy wideouts on the 53-man roster.

Of those four, Michael Wilson emerges as the prime candidate to take over the WR1 role in Harrison’s absence.

“I’m definitely excited,” Wilson said Wednesday. “Obviously heartbroken for Marvin. It’s an unfortunate situation just sucks for the timing. But next man up. It kind of is my first time (being WR1) in my career. This is what I trained for throughout the offseason, all the reps in camp, so I feel like I’m beyond prepared.”

Wilson enters play this week third on the team in receptions (22) and receiving yards (231). He’s tied for third in touchdowns (one) and boasts Arizona’s longest catch of the season (50 yards).

While he’s anticipating more targets as the Cardinals’ WR1 this week, Michael Wilson’s job description remains the same:

“In terms of the way I play the game, I don’t think it changes. … Run fast, block, get open and catch the football.” pic.twitter.com/8FM0oJUcox

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) November 12, 2025

While his numbers don’t jump off the page, there’s been a clear increase in production since Jacoby Brissett took over the starting reins.

Catching 14 of 20 targets for 179 yards, Wilson is averaging 12.8 yards per reception across four games (two starts).

Before Brissett got in the saddle, Wilson had just eight catches on 18 targets for 52 yards and his one score in the five games Kyler Murray started.

And while Wilson is seeing an uptick in stats, it’s the little things he does week in and week out that continue to stand out to his teammates.

“Just one of those guys who you want to see succeed.”

Jacoby Brissett and Trey McBride on what Michael Wilson brings to the Cardinals offense ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/lIpiMgTbqi

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) November 12, 2025

“Mike is just tough. He does everything for us. He blocks, he clears people out, he does all the grimy stuff,” Brissett said. “And then when you sit back and watch when it’s his turn to get the ball and his speed and power when he runs, he creates separation, he has strong hands. He’s a guy who’s going to step up and make a lot of plays this week.

“I’m excited for him and the opportunity. Just one of those guys who you want to see succeed.”

It’s not just Wilson who is expected to see more of a workload this week, either, with Greg Dortch and Xavier Weaver sliding up the depth chart with Harrison and Jones sidelined.

Dortch hasn’t seen a wellspring of touches in nine games (two starts) but did find the end zone for this second touchdown of the season last week.

Weaver, meanwhile, has just one target in four games played this year. He has yet to make a catch in the NFL and has just one kick return for 24 yards.

The opportunity is going to be there for both. Which one makes the most of it?

Even more eyes on Trey McBride with Marvin Harrison Jr. out

Given his current tear, tight end Trey McBride was destined to see plenty of double teams from Robert Saleh’s 49ers defense even if Harrison was suiting up.

In the past four games alone, McBride has reeled in 32 catches for 328 yards and five touchdowns.

He’s caught at least five balls in 11 straight games dating back to last season — something only three tight ends have done in NFL history — and is far and away Arizona’s top offensive weapon in 2025, pacing the team in catches (61), receiving yards (603), touchdowns (six), yards after catch (258) and first downs (33).

Only three players in the NFL have more scores than McBride 10 weeks into the regular season. Just five have reeled in more catches.

Now with Harrison sidelined, the game plan is going to center that much more around stopping one of the NFL’s top tight ends.

“It’s part of it. I understand why they do it and it kind of makes it more rewarding when I do catch the ball,” McBride said. “It’s not as easy as it should be, but every time I catch the ball it’s very rewarding. That’s why I celebrate the way I do every time I catch the ball.

“It just makes it more fun figuring out coverages, but I run the route and try to get open,” the tight end added. “(Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing) and Jacoby, they’ve done a good job of making sure I get open and finding different ways to get me open. It’s been a lot of fun.”

But for as much attention McBride is expecting to see this week, don’t forget about his running mate Elijah Higgins.

The wide-receiver-turned-tight-end presents another avenue the Cardinals can take when it comes to spreading the rock around.

He’s been used sparingly through the air behind 14 catches (17 targets) for 151 yards but has definitely made an impression within the Cardinals training facility.

“He gets the ball in the checkdown and he makes an explosive run after catch,” tight ends coach Ben Steele said in October. “Just to have that if they’re going to double Trey … and he still made plays then other people got to be open. He adds a lot of value at depth. He’s a No. 1 tight end on a lot of teams.”

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