Arizona Cardinals rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. will start the team’s first preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at State Farm Stadium on Saturday, head coach Jonathan Gannon said Thursday.
How much will Harrison play? Gannon didn’t say.
The Cardinals have decided whether to use regular players in the preseason on a “case-by-case basis.” For example, Arizona will not use starting quarterback Kyler Murray at all in the preseason.
Harrison, the No. 4 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, surpassed 1,200 receiving yards and scored 14 touchdowns in his last two seasons with the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Harrison was listed as a starter on the roster for the first preseason game alongside receivers Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch.
He is expected to be the team’s best receiver, receiving passes from Desmond Ridder or Clayton Tune at quarterback. Tune was a fifth-round pick in the 2023 draft, while Ridder was traded from the Atlanta Falcons in the offseason.
Gannon described the competition for the backup quarterback spot as “very healthy.”
Kickoff for the Cardinals’ first preseason game against the Saints is scheduled for 5 p.m. MST on Saturday in Glendale and will be broadcast on 98.7 FM and the Arizona Sports app.
