The Arizona Cardinals faced an uphill battle in their Week 18 matchup against the powerhouse San Francisco 49ers, and now they’ll be doing so without a key offensive weapon. Wide receiver Michael Wilson was officially ruled out ahead of kickoff due to a lingering hamstring injury.
Wilson’s Impact and Absence
Wilson has been a reliable WR2 for Arizona this season, complementing rookie standout Marvin Harrison Jr. However, the Cardinals’ offense, led by Kyler Murray, has struggled with inconsistency, often failing to fully capitalize on Wilson’s talents. Wilson finishes his season with flashes of brilliance but without the statistical production expected of a high-impact wideout in a team still finding its identity.
Kyler Murray Reflects on Cardinals’ Season
Ahead of the season finale, Murray shared candid thoughts on the team’s shortcomings and moments of promise:
“We showed flashes, but we were too inconsistent, and it bit us in the ass late in the season,” Murray said earlier this week.
“There were games we should’ve won earlier in the year that would’ve helped us later. We all have to look in the mirror and play better.”
While the Cardinals managed to remain in the playoff conversation deep into the season—a feat few outside the organization expected—Murray emphasized the frustration of falling short when it mattered most.
What’s Next for Arizona?
As the Cardinals wrap up a frustrating but revealing 2024 campaign, the absence of Wilson in their final game reflects the challenges they’ve faced this year. Injuries and inconsistency have been defining themes, and the team will enter the offseason with plenty of questions to answer.
With Marvin Harrison Jr. showing superstar potential and Murray hinting at a strong commitment to improvement, the future isn’t devoid of hope. Still, missing key players like Wilson highlights the areas Arizona needs to strengthen to turn flashes of promise into sustained success.
Their matchup against the 49ers, who are already gearing up for the playoffs, provides one last chance to evaluate the team’s depth and resilience heading into 2025.