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Jacoby Brissett Hints Reggie Virgil Has More to Show in the Cardinals' Post-Harrison Offense
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- Jacoby Brissett Hints Reggie Virgil Has More to Show in the Cardinals' Post-Harrison Offense
The Arizona Cardinals are still figuring out who steps up after trading Marvin Harrison Jr., and Jacoby Brissett has a candidate in mind. The quarterback likes how rookie Reggie Virgil separates and hinted that there's more coming from him Sunday against the Rams.
Virgil and Jalen Brooks will again split Harrison's old role at the X receiver spot, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss . Mike LaFleur sees them as interchangeable. "They have a similar skill set in terms of what we're asking them to do," he said.
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Virgil's first look came on short notice
Virgil's NFL debut came in last Sunday's 45-21 loss to Detroit, the same day the Harrison trade was finalized. The fifth-round pick caught two of five targets for 29 yards on 13 snaps as the No. 4 receiver, according to PFF . Brooks caught two of seven targets for 16 yards on 39 snaps.
That's a tiny sample, but Virgil's background explains Brissett's interest. He started all 14 games at the X for Texas Tech last season and caught 57 passes for 705 yards and six touchdowns, after three years at Miami (Ohio).
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Brooks is ready for more, too. "It happened early enough so it was like, 'OK, there will be some things coming my way,'" he said this week, according to the team .
Arizona can't lean only on its top two targets. Trey McBride has 42 catches for 308 yards, and his 387 career catches are the most by a tight end in his first five seasons. Michael Wilson has 29 for 288. Brissett has completed 66.3% of his passes for 1,110 yards with nine touchdown passes and five interceptions, and he's facing real pressure on his job .
The Rams won't make it easy. Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson start at cornerback, and Los Angeles is a heavy favorite at SoFi Stadium. LaFleur, a former Rams offensive coordinator, knows the building well.
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For a 1-4 team that has allowed 30 or more points in four straight games, finding a receiver who can win outside matters. If Virgil turns his limited first look into a bigger role, Arizona's post-Harrison offense might have found something useful.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
