Marvin Harrison Jr. didn't have the kind of statistical debut many were hoping for, but there is little question after the Cardinals' season-opener he is their main wide receiver. The rookie was on the field for 55 of 61 offensive snaps, the most of any wideout.
Michael Wilson was second with 49 snaps, followed by Greg Dortch at 37.
The hope, of course, is that Harrison sees more than three targets going forward. That, coach Jonathan Gannon said after the game, is coming.
The Cardinals also followed through with using James Conner as the bell cow running back. The veteran had the first six touches of the game, and he also played 41 snaps total. Third-down back Emari Demercado was next with his 13 snaps; rookie Trey Benson only played eight snaps and had four touches all on a single second-quarter drive (albeit one that ended in a touchdown, coincidentally Conner's run.)
Elijah Higgins (25 snaps) and rookie Tip Reiman (20) each got decent work alongside starting tight end Trey McBride (52).
Right tackle Jonah Williams played 22 snaps before going down with his knee injury on the final play of the first quarter.
On defense, at rotational positions, the Cardinals leaned heavy on defensive lineman Justin Jones and outside linebacker Zaven Collins, who each played 43 of 62 defensive snaps -- a percentage higher than any one at the positions usually received a year ago.
Safeties Buffa Baker and Jalen Thompson, cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting and inside linebacker Kyzir White each played every snap. (Rookie safety Rabbit Taylor-Demerson did not play a defensive snap, although he played a team-high 21 special-teams snaps.)
Cornerbacks after SMB were Starling Thomas V at 51, Garrett Williams at 38, Max Melton at 11 and Kei'Trel Clark at 4.
At inside linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. was at 39 snaps, Owen Pappoe clocked in at 12 and Krys Barnes had 10. Outside linebacker came in after Collins with Dennis Gardeck (40), Xavier Thomas (18) and Victor Dimukeje (13).
The rebuilt defensive line, with the missing Darius Robinson, had Jones, Bilal Nichols (27), Dante Stills (25), Roy Lopez (23), L.J. Collier (22), and Khyiris Tonga (16).
