The Arizona Cardinals finally got their first extended look at Jeremiyah Love this preseason. Now, their prized rookie running back is back on the sideline.
Love will miss Arizona’s preseason finale against the Green Bay Packers on Friday due to an ankle injury sustained during his Aug. 13 debut against the Las Vegas Raiders. With the regular season less than three weeks away, the franchise’s focus has shifted from getting Love exhibition reps to ensuring he is healthy for Week 1.
What Happened to Jeremiyah Love?
Love is dealing with a high ankle sprain, making it unlikely that he will play again this preseason. The Cardinals are hopeful the No. 3 overall pick can return for their Sept. 13 regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love is dealing with a high ankle sprain, per sources. It makes it unlikely that Love plays again this preseason, with the team hoping he can return for the Sept. 13 regular-season opener vs the Chargers. pic.twitter.com/H0vb0R7x4k
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 17, 2026
Head coach Mike LaFleur reinforced that cautious approach in a Monday update, saying Love would not participate in practice this week as Arizona prepares for a joint session and Friday’s game in Green Bay.
The injury cut short an encouraging debut. Love carried 11 times for 58 yards and caught all three of his targets for 14 yards against Las Vegas, flashing the burst and elusiveness that made him the highest-drafted running back since Saquon Barkley went No. 2 overall in 2018.
Love also arrived in Arizona after a dominant final season at Notre Dame. PFN’s College Running Back Impact Rankings listed his 2025 RB Impact score at 91.9, fourth among college running backs, after he rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Arizona Cardinals RB Depth Chart Without Jeremiyah Love
Love’s absence comes at an awkward time for a backfield that looked unusually deep entering training camp.
Tyler Allgeier is now the healthiest established option and should remain at the front of the rotation while Love recovers. Arizona signed Allgeier during the offseason before selecting Love, and the veteran initially sat atop the franchise’s preseason depth chart.
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Veteran James Conner remains central to Arizona’s regular-season plans, though he has yet to play this preseason as he completes his recovery from the foot injury that cut short his 2025 campaign. Conner did not participate in Monday’s practice session.
The Cardinals created another opening Monday when they waived Trey Benson, who had been dealing with issues in his surgically repaired knee. Bam Knight and Corey Kiner remain among the other backs available, and Arizona also added Tre Stewart after Love went down.
Arizona closes the preseason at Green Bay on Aug. 28 before turning its attention to the Chargers.
Love will not get another tuneup before then. The much bigger question is whether the Cardinals can get their rookie centerpiece healthy enough to make Week 1 his next appearance.
