Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald Returning For 2017 Season

Larry Fitzgerald will return for a 14th season in the NFL.

Larry Fitzgerald back with cardinals For 2017 Season

The Arizona Cardinals wide receiver told ESPN’s Jim Trotter and NFL Network Insider Ian Rapaport on Wednesday that he will play out the final year of his contract with the team.

Fitzgerald added he’s feeling “back to normal” physically.

“Some things that were killing me late in the year are feeling back to normal for me. That’s a relief. Also, my fire and desire to win and compete vs. the best still burns,” Fitzgerald told Rapoport. He had 107 catches and 1,023 yards in 2016 which lead the league in catches and finished 20th in total yards.

The 10-time Pro Bowler led the league in receptions this season with 107. He also leads active wideouts in career receptions with 1,125.

Fitzgerald, 33, ranks ninth in NFL career receiving yards with 14,389. Another 1,000-yard season would put him third behind Jerry Rice, with 22,895, and Terrell Owens, with 15,934.

Of course, another big question remaining for the Cardinals is whether quarterback Carson Palmer will also return.

“There’s a much more of a physical determination to be made for Carson Palmer,” Rapoport reported on Super Bowl Live on Thursday. “He wants to return and has said if he’s feeling OK physically, that he will be back. But from what understand, this was the most taxing season for him — really in his career. He got beat up, was dealing with several nagging injuries, he just did not feel great. And even, as of recently, was still struggling to feel like him old self.”

Coach Bruce Arians seems more relaxed now that he knows his top receiver will be back next season.

Speaking at the Waste Management Open in Scottsdale, Arizona on Tuesday, Arians sounded positive but added he hadn’t heard anything official regarding Fitzgerald and Palmer.

“It’s up to them,” Arians said. “I feel comfortable with where they are at and what’s going to happen. Like everyone, I have my fingers crossed. I think when the juices start flowing and the injuries go away, they’ll come back. But there is nothing to confirm yet.”

The Cardinals finished the 2016 season 7-8-1 and defeated the Los Angeles Rams 44-6 in their season finale.

GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 16: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals stiff arms strong safety Morgan Burnett #42 of the Green Bay Packers during overtime of the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Arizona Cardinals beat the Green Bay Packers 26-20. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)