The Arizona Cardinals wanted a real look at Jeremiyah Love in his preseason debut, but former NFL scout John Middlekauff thinks 14 touches were a little too real.
Love looked explosive against the Las Vegas Raiders before leaving with an ankle injury. The rookie finished with 72 yards from scrimmage, but the workload became the bigger talking point after reports that he is dealing with a high ankle sprain.
John Middlekauff Rips Cardinals over Jeremiyah Love Workload
“14 touches in a preseason game for Love, were the coaches drunk?” Middlekauff wrote on X.
Arizona selected Love third overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, making him one of the centerpieces of its rebuild. Yet the Cardinals gave him 11 carries and three receptions in one half of an exhibition game.
14 touches in a preseason game for Love, were the coaches drunk? https://t.co/McRtTQ9tJD
— John Middlekauff (@JohnMiddlekauff) August 17, 2026
Love admitted the workload caught him by surprise.
“I didn’t (expect it),” Love admitted afterward. “But you know, ball is ball. I welcome it.”
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Before getting hurt, Love showed why Arizona invested such a premium pick at running back. He rushed for 58 yards, caught three passes for 14 more, and produced several explosive moments, including a hurdle and a 9-yard run that helped set up a touchdown.
The concern came afterward. Mike LaFleur initially said Love could have returned if needed, but the coach changed his tone when the rookie arrived at the facility more sore than expected.
ESPN later reported that Love suffered a high ankle sprain and is unlikely to play again this preseason. Arizona is hopeful he can return for its Sept. 13 regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Love Injury Adds Pressure to Cardinals Backfield
The timing is especially awkward because Arizona already has questions about the running back. James Conner is recovering from a foot injury, while Trey Benson has been dealing with a knee issue. The Cardinals signed Tre Stewart on Sunday to add another healthy option alongside Tyler Allgeier.
Love was expected to provide immediate juice to an offense that badly needed it. Arizona finished 24th in PFN’s 2025 Offense Impact rankings with a 72.1 impact score.
His college résumé made the expectations even higher. Love rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns at Notre Dame last season, then added 280 receiving yards and three scores. He finished third in Heisman Trophy voting and won the Doak Walker Award.
None of that means Arizona was wrong to let Love play. Young players need live reps, and the Cardinals were evaluating how their new offense looked with him involved.
Fourteen touches in one half, though, is enough to invite second-guessing once the player leaves injured.
Love may still be ready for Week 1, which would turn this into an August scare rather than a lasting problem. If the high ankle sprain lingers, Middlekauff’s question will become harder for Arizona to laugh off.
