After missing three days due to knee soreness, Marvin Harrison Jr. rejoined the Arizona Cardinals’ training camp on Tuesday, dispelling concerns about his health. Harrison participated fully in a light, no-pad practice, showing no signs of limitation in movement and signaling a positive recovery outlook as the team prepares for their upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Harrison has impressed so far this camp, demonstrating significant improvement compared to his rookie season and bringing renewed energy to the Cardinals’ offense. The returning wide receiver’s presence is a promising boost as Arizona builds momentum ahead of the new NFL season.
Cardinals Commit to Playing Starters Throughout the Season
Head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed that, unlike in previous seasons, the Cardinals plan to have their starters actively participate in games this year. Addressing reporters before practice, Gannon emphasized the strategic decision behind this shift, citing improved health and development among the team’s core players.
I told them last night they’re going to play,
Gannon said.
I think it’s the best thing for our team this year. I think we’re at a good point with our health. We’re at a good point with our development. And I think this year with our team, it’s the best thing to do for our guys.
—Jonathan Gannon, Head Coach
The full extent of the starters’ playing time remains undecided, but the announcement has sparked enthusiasm within the locker room.
I think initially excited, telling the group as a whole that we’ll all get some sort of action,
remarked wide receiver Zay Jones after practice.
I think it’s good for us to get out there and experience something live, go against someone else besides your own team, and have those competitive reps and be able to evaluate it after and then kind of see, ‘Okay, where are we at as a position group? As a unit – as a team – what do we need to improve on?’ And it’ll be exciting for other guys to get an opportunity to showcase their ability as well.
—Zay Jones, Wide Receiver
Frequent Changes Continue in Starting Lineup During Camp
The Cardinals coaching staff has maintained an active approach to rotating players in and out of starting roles, even after releasing an initial depth chart. On Tuesday, several unexpected lineup adjustments took place during practice sessions, reflecting ongoing evaluations of talent and team dynamics.
Baron Browning, though officially a backup outside linebacker behind Zaven Collins, took part opposite Josh Sweat during the first defensive unit‘s drills. Other defensive starters rotated included Owen Pappoe substituting for Akeem Davis-Gaither, with Jordan Burch, Dante Stills, and L.J. Collier also seeing first-team reps.
Offensively, players such as Emari Demercado, Greg Dortch, and Andre Baccellia received snaps with the starting squad, highlighting the coaching staff’s intent to assess depth and versatility across the roster thoroughly.
Jonathan Gannon and his staff are expected to continue experimenting with personnel throughout the remainder of camp and preseason games, indicating that the active lineup remains flexible as they prepare for the regular season.
The Road Ahead for the Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr.’s return to full practice and the commitment to playing starters signal a determined push by the Arizona Cardinals to build cohesion and momentum before the regular season begins. The ongoing lineup adjustments suggest the coaching staff is focused on finding the right combinations to address both strengths and weaknesses across the team.
With their next game scheduled against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Cardinals face an important opportunity to showcase their development and readiness. The decisions made in camp and during preseason games will likely play a key role in shaping the team’s competitive prospects for the months ahead.