The Arizona Cardinals are ready to step out of the awful NFL limbo. They’ve been stuck there for a while, and Kyler Murray is still trusted to take the team to new heights. However, one of the team’s key weapons might not be able to start the season.
Wide receiver Michael Wilson is entering his third year in the NFL. Now, according to NBC Sports, he’s been listed in the league’s concussion protocol early Saturday. Wilson suffered a collision with safety Budda Baker on Friday.
Wilson is one of the best receivers on the Cardinals’ roster, serving as the second option for Kyler Murray, just behind Marvin Harrison Jr. Without Wilson, Murray will have to find another weapon to trust outside the numbers.
Wilson is steadily good
Wilson’s first two seasons have gone under the radar because, well, the Cardinals struggled. As said before, their team hasn’t been good enough to go to the playoffs consistently, but also hasn’t been too bad to get a top 3 pick. They’re just in the middle of the pack.
But Wilson deserves some eyeballs on him. He has gone over 500 yards both seasons and has a total of seven touchdowns. He has also been really good for Murray on intermediate-to-deep passes. He averages 13.1 yards per reception. Without him, there is a hole on offense. Tight end Trey McBride is the short-level threat and Marvin Harrison can make a house call at any moment, but the middle of the progressions is empty.
Who can replace Wilson?
As of now, veteran receiver Zay Jones could step up to fill Wilson’s role, but they are very different receivers. Wilson is a more prolific route runner and has a better release. Jones is more of a go through contact and catch in traffic receiver.
Jones played 11 games last season for the Cardinals but only had 84 yards all season. He lacks chemistry with Murray too, so that’s something to consider. The NFL has been drastically changing the concussion protocol to protect the players, so overcoming it is harder for them every single time. Wilson will try to heal before Week 1 comes around.