The Arizona Cardinals are in the process of finalizing a trade involving Marvin Harrison Jr., ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport reported Saturday, and the team informed Harrison he will be inactive for Sunday’s game as the move is worked out.
Inactivity and reporting from the Cardinals' camp
ESPN’s Adam Schefter posted that the Cardinals told Harrison “this morning that he will be inactive for Sunday’s game vs Detroit as details of the trade are finalized.” Schefter added in follow-up reporting that the organization has informed Harrison he is going to be traded.
Those confirmations leave the transaction itself in a fluid state: league reporting indicates the Cardinals are finalizing a deal, but no acquiring club has been officially announced and the particulars of any package remain unsettled.
Strong speculation points to Houston as a likely destination
While the acquiring team has not been named in official confirmations, the most prominent chatter in league circles links the move to the Houston Texans. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio said “the current chatter in league circles is that Harrison will land in Houston, where he’d be reunited with former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud.” Schefter later noted he is hearing Houston has been involved in talks as well.
On the Texans’ side, a team source told Schefter, “I can’t confirm or deny at this time,” underscoring that Houston’s role remains unconfirmed while discussions continue.
Reports addressing what Arizona might seek in return suggest the Cardinals would expect meaningful compensation. The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero wrote that teams that have talked to Arizona say the Cardinals would want “a second-round draft pick and more — perhaps an additional mid-round pick” to consider a deal for Harrison.
Context on Harrison’s season and what’s next
Harrison has recorded five catches for 85 yards so far this season. As the Cardinals finalize the trade details, the team’s decision to make him inactive Sunday is intended to allow the clubs to complete the transaction without disrupting immediate game-day availability.
At present the move remains in the reporting stage: the Cardinals have communicated Harrison’s pending trade status internally and discussions with potential suitors are ongoing. Until a deal is formally announced by the teams involved, the acquiring club and the precise compensation will remain speculative.
