Jeremiyah Love Ruled Out With Concerning Injury Ahead Of 2026 Season
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love will miss at least a week of practice. His ankle injury turned out to be more than a minor scare.
Head coach Mike LaFleur addressed the injury Thursday night. He said Love could have returned to Arizona’s preseason win over the Raiders if the team needed him.
Love played the entire first half. He rushed for 58 yards on 11 carries and added three catches for 14 yards, according to NBC Sports.
Swelling Pushed The Timeline Back
LaFleur’s tone shifted by Saturday morning. He said Love’s ankle grew “a little more sore” overnight. The third overall pick will now sit out at least the next week of work. That timeline rules Love out of next Saturday’s preseason game against the Cowboys.
LaFleur would not commit to a firm return date ahead of Arizona’s third preseason contest.
The injury came on an awkward play against Las Vegas. Love’s foot got twisted up during a rotation with Tyler Allgeier. LaFleur initially downplayed the setback.
He said Love was “good and excited and happy to be out there playing” after the game. Dr. Jesse Morse, an orthopedic surgeon who tracks NFL injuries, called it a mild lateral ankle sprain. He added there were no long-term concerns.
Love has already made headlines away from the injury report this preseason. He drew criticism after his girlfriend was seen driving a $300,000 Lamborghini.
The purchase sparked backlash across social media just days before his NFL debut. His path to a starting job wasn’t guaranteed either. Cardinals coaches offered a lukewarm assessment of his readiness during training camp.
Arizona’s Backfield Gets Crowded In His Absence
Love’s absence hands more preseason reps to a deep group of running backs. Tyler Allgeier, James Connor, Trey Benson, Bam Knight, Evan Hull, and Corey Kiner all remain in the mix. That gives LaFleur options while Love recovers.
Connor has been with Arizona since 2021. He reworked his contract to stay with the team. Allgeier arrived as a free-agent addition this offseason. Both figure to soak up extra carries against Dallas.
Love signed a four-year, $53 million fully guaranteed rookie contract after the Cardinals took him third overall in April. It’s the richest guarantee ever given to a running back in league history.
The Cardinals clearly view him as a foundational piece of their offense. That makes the cautious approach to his ankle unsurprising this early in the preseason.
The regular season is still weeks away. Arizona has little reason to rush its most expensive investment back onto the field. LaFleur said the team will continue to evaluate Love’s status day by day as the swelling comes down.
