A receiver who arrived in Houston on Monday will be in uniform across the Atlantic by Sunday.
Newly acquired wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will play for the Houston Texans against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Sunday, the Texans head coach said Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. Sunday’s game is part of the NFL’s international series, and the Jaguars have played regularly in London since 2013.
How did the Texans acquire Marvin Harrison Jr.?
Houston sent picks in the second and seventh rounds of the 2027 draft to the Arizona Cardinals. In return, the Texans received Harrison and a 2027 pick in the sixth round. Giving up a pick in the second round shows how much the Texans believe in his potential.
The trade came as Houston struggles through a slow start with one win and four losses. Houston hopes adding a talented young receiver can spark an offense built around its quarterback.
Marvin Harrison Jr. passed his physical Monday and practiced with the Texans for the first time Wednesday.
Why did Marvin Harrison Jr. struggle in Arizona?
He did not offer specifics. Harrison was the No. 4 pick in the 2024 draft but posted 108 catches for 1,578 yards and 13 touchdowns in 33 games with the Cardinals.
This season, he had only five catches on 13 targets for 85 yards and one touchdown before the trade.
Marvin Harrison Jr. said he takes accountability for his time in Arizona but described the struggles as a combination of factors he could not pin to one cause. He said he learned a lot there but would keep the details to himself and focus on moving forward.
Harrison is the son of Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison, who starred for the Indianapolis Colts. Expectations were high when he entered the league after a decorated college career that included the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver in 2023.
Why is the C.J. Stroud connection important?
The trade reunites Harrison with his college quarterback. The two played together at Ohio State in 2021 and 2022, and both earned All-American honors.
Harrison called Houston a great situation, saying it helps to play with a quarterback he has rapport with and has won with before.
C.J. Stroud has been sharp this season. He ranks fourth in the league with 1,402 passing yards through five weeks.
The quarterback said he was glad the team included him in discussions about the trade. He described Harrison as a smart player and said he is not worried about how quickly they reconnect, noting that he is very vocal about how he likes routes run and that the two have already talked.
How fast can Marvin Harrison Jr. learn the offense?
Quickly, if his coach is right. The head coach said he is not worried about the learning curve because of Harrison’s work ethic.
On his first night in Houston, Harrison stayed late studying the playbook with assistant wide receivers coach Tiquan Underwood. That extra work put him a day ahead and helped him fit in smoothly at Wednesday’s practice, the coach said.
Where does Marvin Harrison Jr. fit with the Texans?
He joins a receiver group led by Nico Collins, Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel. Houston has been searching for a reliable second option behind Collins. Collins has been the team’s top target, and the Texans want another receiver who can draw coverage away from him.
For Marvin Harrison Jr., the move offers a fresh start with a familiar quarterback. Sunday in London will provide the first look at whether that old chemistry still works. A strong showing could quickly change the narrative around his career.
