Cardinals RB Love Shuts Down Preseason: What It Means
Cardinals Rookie Running Back Jeremiyah Love Sidelined With High Ankle Sprain
What Happened?
Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love suffered a high ankle sprain during Thursday night’s preseason game. According to ESPN sources, this injury will likely keep him off the field for the rest of the preseason.
Important Point
A high ankle sprain is different from a regular ankle sprain. It affects the ligaments above the ankle joint (connecting the two lower leg bones), takes longer to heal, and is more serious for athletes who need to cut, pivot, and sprint.
How the Injury Happened
- Love played 23 snaps in Thursday’s preseason game
- He rushed 11 times for 58 yards and caught 3 passes for 14 yards
- On the final play of his time on the field, he got "rolled up on" — meaning another player fell onto his leg while his foot was planted
- Coach Mike LaFleur said Love’s confidence "went through the roof" after his third drive, making the timing especially unfortunate
What the Coach Said
| Topic | Coach LaFleur’s Comments |
|---|---|
| Injury details (initially) | "It’s an ankle, so we’ll keep it at that." — declined to specify high vs. low |
| Love’s performance | Called him a "quick learner" who got "more grounded" as the game went on |
| Preseason plan | The workload was intentional for a rookie who hadn’t played yet |
| Week 1 outlook | Team hopes Love can be ready for the season opener vs. the Chargers |
The Bigger Picture: What This Means for the Cardinals
- Preseason reps lost: Love won’t get more game experience before the regular season
- Week 1 target: The team is optimistic he’ll recover in time for the season opener in Los Angeles against the Chargers
- Rookie development: Missing practice time slows down a young player’s adjustment to NFL speed
Other Injury News: Quarterback Carson Beck
- Rookie QB Carson Beck is also banged up
- Dealing with rib soreness from the Hall of Fame Game last week
- Listed as "day to day" — not long-term, but discomfort remains
- Coach LaFleur: "Just wanting to let him heal a little bit more"
Summary
The Arizona Cardinals are dealing with early injury concerns for two key rookies. Jeremiyah Love, a promising running back, suffered a high ankle sprain — a tricky injury that typically takes weeks to heal. While he’s expected to miss the rest of the preseason, the team hopes he’ll be ready for Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Meanwhile, quarterback Carson Beck is working through rib soreness but isn’t expected to miss significant time. Both players showed flashes of potential before getting hurt, making their recovery timelines important storylines as the regular season approaches.
FAQ
Q: What’s the difference between a high ankle sprain and a regular ankle sprain?
A: A regular (low) ankle sprain affects the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. A high ankle sprain injures the ligaments above the ankle that connect the tibia and fibula (the two lower leg bones). High ankle sprains take longer to heal (often 4–6+ weeks) and make cutting, sprinting, and pivoting very painful.
Q: Will Jeremiyah Love definitely miss Week 1?
A: Not definitely. The team is hoping he’ll be ready, but high ankle sprains are unpredictable. "Hope" isn’t a guarantee — it depends on how he responds to treatment over the next few weeks.
Q: Why did Love play so many snaps (23) if he’s a rookie?
A: Coach LaFleur explained it was intentional — Love hadn’t played in a game yet, and the coaching staff wanted to see how he handled a real workload. They had a specific plan for how many games each rookie would play.
Q: Is Carson Beck’s rib injury serious?
A: Doesn’t appear to be. He’s listed as "day to day," and LaFleur explicitly said "it’s not going to be long term." Rib injuries are painful but usually heal with rest.
Q: Who will get more playing time with Love out?
A: The article doesn’t specify, but typically other running backs on the roster (veterans or younger backups) will absorb those preseason snaps — giving them a chance to impress coaches.