Cardinals OC addresses rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr.'s lack of targets in Week 1

Did the Arizona Cardinals forget they drafted highly touted rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in a Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills?

During the 34-28 defeat to Buffalo on Sunday, No. 4 overall pick Harrison had one reception for four yards on three targets. Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing indicated they'll get him the ball more in Week 2 against the L.A. Rams. 

"Certainly, he is on the forefront of our minds in terms of getting him the ball," Petzing said Tuesday, via Darren Urban of the team website. "I think the Bills did some things to take him away, and, certainly, I could've called some plays to get him more involved early, but I thought it was a good start. We have some work to do."  

Perhaps Harrison still hasn't developed chemistry with quarterback Kyler Murray, which could explain why he didn't receive more targets Sunday. 

Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk pointed out that it appeared that Harrison was open on a play near the end zone late in the fourth quarter against Buffalo, but Murray didn't see him. 

"One of the things I try to stress with Kyler is that it's not his job to get certain people the ball or worry about how a guy is doing in the flow of the game," Petzing said. "I've got to do that with the way I call the game, and he's got to make the best decision based on the look, the coverage, how the routes are run." 

Despite the underwhelming debut, Harrison could still become a difference-maker for Arizona. In three seasons at Ohio State, he earned two first-team All-American nods and won the 2023 Biletnikoff Award winner as the best WR in college football.