The Arizona Cardinals are finishing a trade of Marvin Harrison Jr., and Sunday's inactive list already shows where that leaves the game plan against Detroit.
Sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Saturday that Arizona is finalizing a deal to move the wide receiver. The Cardinals informed Harrison he will be inactive for the Lions game while the paperwork is completed.
Arizona wants a second-round pick or better for the former Ohio State star, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported, according to CBS Sports. The Cardinals drafted Harrison No. 4 overall in 2024.
As of Saturday afternoon, no destination had been announced. NBC Sports' Mike Florio wrote that Arizona is keeping the landing spot under wraps, possibly to draw a better offer.
Houston in, Indianapolis out
One club repeatedly tied to the talks is Houston. Schefter and Rapoport reported the Texans have been, and remain, square in the mix. A Harrison-to-Houston deal would reunite him with former Ohio State teammate C.J. Stroud. Florio wrote Saturday that it should surprise no one if Houston ends up as the destination, unless another team makes a late, better offer.
The Indianapolis Colts are out. A source told ESPN's Stephen Holder that Indianapolis is not involved, and longtime Colts reporter Mike Chappell said the Colts had backed away after doing their due diligence, according to CBS Sports. That matters for the market: Arizona entered the weekend floating first-round value, per ESPN sources, while other clubs have framed Harrison closer to second-day draft compensation. A source told ESPN that the Cardinals were asking for a second-round choice and more.
Florio wrote that Houston had offered a 2028 second-round pick and that Arizona has pushed for a 2027 second-rounder. That year gap is the kind of detail that can stretch a Saturday into Monday morning.
Production that never matched the pick
Through four games in 2026, Harrison has five catches on 12 targets for 85 yards and one touchdown, ESPN reported. He ranked as the fifth-most-targeted player on Arizona's offense behind tight end Trey McBride, receivers Michael Wilson and Kendrick Bourne, and running back Jeremiyah Love.
His only touchdown this season came in last Sunday's 36-24 loss to the New York Giants. After the score he made a shush gesture with his facemask. Asked Thursday what message he intended, Harrison said, "No message." He also said this week he had not paid attention to trade speculation.
Career context is more mixed than the draft slot suggested. As a rookie he caught 62 passes for 885 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2025 he played 12 games after foot injuries and appendicitis and finished with 41 catches for 608 yards and four touchdowns, ESPN reported.
