Larry Fitzgerald reaches 17,000 career receiving yards

The Arizona Cardinals have struggled to a 5-9-1 record in 2019, but Larry Fitzgerald has once again been the team’s most productive receiver, as he has been in all but three seasons since he entered the NFL in 2004. And on Sunday, Fitzgerald’s consistent play resulted in him reaching a major career milestone, as he amassed 17,000 career receiving yards.

The former Pitt pass-catcher entered Sunday’s NFC West matchup with the Seattle Seahawks with 16,990 career receiving yards, and although he accrued a modest total of 48 yards in the game, that was more than enough to catapult him over the 17,000-yard mark. Fitzgerald reached the milestone on his second catch of the day, which was a 21-yard touchdown reception that put the Cardinals up 14-7 in the second quarter.

The dramatic play saw Fitzgerald reel in a short pass from Kyler Murray and run it past four Seahawks defenders, including linebacker K.J. Wright who met him at the goal line. However, Fitzgerald ran through the 6'4", 246-pound linebacker and broke the plane with his outstretched arm to score. The Pitt alum’s touchdown would furnish the Cardinals with a lead they would never concede en route to a 27-13 victory over their division rivals.

Fitzgerald finished the day with 48 yards and a touchdown on four receptions, leading all Cardinals receivers in each category. On the season, he has 759 yards and four touchdowns on 71 receptions. And in his career, Fitzgerald has 17,038 yards and 120 touchdowns on 1,374 career catches. Only San Francisco 49ers great and NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice has previously accrued 17,000 receiving yards.