Cardinals rookie Jeremiyah Love sidelined with ankle injury

Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, will miss at least one week of practice due to a sore ankle injury he sustained during the team's preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, August 13, 2026. Head coach Mike LaFleur announced on Saturday, August 15, that Love's ankle was "a little more sore" than initially anticipated, leading to the decision to hold him out of practice for the upcoming week. This will also cause Love to miss the Cardinals' second preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, August 22. LaFleur stated that the team will re-evaluate Love's condition next week to determine his availability for the remainder of the preseason and the regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on September 13.

Love made his NFL debut in the preseason game against the Raiders, impressing with 11 carries for 58 yards and three receptions for 14 yards. However, he injured his left ankle during the game and was held out of the second half. The injury has proven to be more significant than initially thought, as Love reported increased soreness on Friday compared to Thursday. LaFleur emphasized that the team will take a cautious approach to ensure Love's full recovery, given his importance to the offense. The Cardinals have depth at running back with James Conner, Tyler Allgeier, Trey Benson, and Bam Knight, but Conner is recovering from a foot injury that sidelined him for most of last season, and Benson is dealing with a knee issue. This injury adds to a challenging preseason for the Cardinals' rookie class, as second-round pick Chase Bisontis tore his MCL and will undergo surgery, and fourth-round pick Kaleb Proctor is already out for the season with a knee injury. Quarterback Carson Beck, a third-round pick, also missed the Raiders game due to a minor rib injury.

The Cardinals are hopeful that Love will return to practice soon, but they are prioritizing his long-term health over short-term preseason reps. The team's final preseason game is against the Green Bay Packers on August 28, and it remains uncertain whether Love will participate. The regular season opener against the Chargers is less than a month away, and the Cardinals will need Love at full strength to compete. The injury has raised concerns among fans and analysts, but the team's cautious approach suggests they are confident in their running back depth and are focused on ensuring Love is ready for the regular season.