Cardinals’ Love Hurts: Rookie RB Sidelined by Ankle Injury
Cardinals Rookie Running Back Jeremiyah Love Sidelined With Sore Ankle
What Happened?
Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love will miss the next week of practice and the upcoming preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. He hurt his ankle during Thursday night’s preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Important Point: This is a precautionary move — the team wants to make sure his ankle heals properly before putting him back on the field.
The Timeline: Step by Step
- Thursday Night — Love plays 23 snaps against the Raiders, rushing 11 times for 58 yards and catching 3 passes for 14 yards
- Friday — Love feels more sore than expected, surprising the coaching staff
- Saturday — Coach Mike LaFleur announces Love will sit out the next week
- Next Week — Team will reevaluate the ankle and decide on a plan for the rest of preseason
- Saturday Night — Love will NOT play against the Dallas Cowboys
What Coach LaFleur Said
"He was in great spirits even yesterday."
"He was more sore than we were anticipating."
"We’ll reevaluate next week before deciding on a plan for the rest of the preseason."
Who Steps Up While Love Is Out?
With Love sidelined, the Cardinals’ running back rotation for this week looks like this:
- Tyler Allgeier — Starts as the lead back
- Bam Knight — Next in line
- Corey Kiner — Rounds out the rotation
Other Running Back Updates
Trey Benson
- Dealing with a flare-up in his surgically repaired left knee
- Coach says he’s "progressing" and "doing better than he was"
- No exact timeline for return yet
James Conner (Veteran Star)
- Missed 14 games last season with a right foot injury
- Hasn’t done 11-on-11 drills or played in preseason yet
- Also "progressing" but no timeline
- Coach LaFleur emphasizes: "It’s not return to play. It’s return to performance."
Important Point: For a veteran like Conner who’s played at a high level for years, the team wants him feeling 100% confident — not just cleared to play, but ready to perform at his best.
Why This Matters (ELI5 Explanation)
Think of it like this: Love is a rookie (first-year player) who was getting valuable practice reps. Missing a week means:
- Less time to learn the playbook in real game situations
- Other rookies (Knight, Kiner) get more chances to show what they can do
- The team gets to see who handles the extra workload best
But — it’s just one week in August. The real games start in September. The smart move is protecting a young player now so he’s ready when it counts.
Summary
| Player | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiyah Love | Out 1 week | Sore ankle from Thursday’s game; reevaluation next week |
| Trey Benson | Progressing | Knee flare-up; improving daily, no timeline |
| James Conner | Progressing | Foot injury from last season; "return to performance" approach |
| Tyler Allgeier | Lead back this week | Takes first-team reps with Love out |
| Bam Knight & Corey Kiner | Increased role | More opportunities to make the roster |
FAQ
1. Is Jeremiyah Love’s injury serious?
No. The team called it a "sore ankle" and said he was in "great spirits." This appears to be a minor issue they’re being careful with because he’s a rookie.
2. Will Love be ready for the regular season?
Most likely yes. Preseason games don’t count. The team has several weeks before Week 1. Missing one week in August rarely affects regular season availability.
3. Who is Jeremiyah Love?
He’s a rookie running back the Cardinals drafted. Thursday was his first NFL preseason action — he looked good with 58 rushing yards and 14 receiving yards.
4. What does "return to performance" mean for James Conner?
It means the team doesn’t just want him healthy enough to play — they want him healthy enough to play like James Conner (a Pro Bowl-level running back). Veterans get more leeway to take their time.
5. Should fantasy football managers worry?
Not yet. It’s August. Love is a rookie fighting for a backup role. Conner is the clear starter when healthy. Monitor the situation, but don’t panic.
Article based on reporting by Josh Weinfuss, ESPN Staff Writer — Tempe, Arizona