Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans announced on Sunday that a deal had been finalised to bring wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. over from the Arizona Cardinals, putting to rest the uncertainty that had surrounded the receiver's destination since word of the trade broke the previous day.

Multiple outlets reported that a 2027 seventh-round draft pick will travel from Arizona to Houston as part of the compensation package tied to the Harrison deal. Houston's part of the arrangement involves routing a pair of 2027 draft picks — one from the second round, another from the sixth — back to Arizona.

Harrison's inactive status for the Sunday matchup against Detroit preceded a postgame moment in which Ryans, speaking to reporters after the Texans wrapped up a win over Tennessee, confirmed that Houston was where the player was headed, offering reporters a teasing "You guys want to know, huh?" before confirming it with a simple "Yes, alright."

The trade also sets up a reunion between Harrison and quarterback CJ Stroud, with whom he lined up during their time together at Ohio State. The Texans' acquisition of the former third-overall draft pick brings him into their wide receiver group for the upcoming season.

During the 2022 season at Ohio State, Harrison earned All-American recognition while Stroud lined up behind center as the team's quarterback. During his sophomore campaign, Harrison recorded 77 catches for 1,263 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns — numbers that stood as personal bests at each mark — with Houston's selection of Stroud in the NFL Draft arriving before that run could extend further.

Harrison put together a Heisman Trophy finalist campaign during the season Kyle McCord took over at quarterback, posting 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. During his junior year, a fourth-place finish in Heisman balloting accompanied a second All-American distinction.

Harrison came off the board at pick three during the 2024 NFL Draft, joining Arizona's roster as a pass-catcher. His sophomore numbers with the Cardinals — 41 receptions, 608 yards, and four touchdown grabs — represented a step back from the 62 catches, 885 yards, and eight scores he had put together across his debut campaign. Across four contests in the current season, Harrison recorded five catches totalling 85 yards and one touchdown.

Among the pass-catchers already on Houston's roster, Nico Collins and Kayshon Boutte — the latter himself a recent trade addition — will share the wide receiver group with the incoming player.

A 26-3 road victory over the Titans in Nashville on Sunday ended Houston's three-game losing streak to open the season, with Stroud contributing both a rushing touchdown and a passing one.