Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) has become a major question mark for the franchise.
Love missed practice all week with a lingering left ankle issue and was ruled out of the Week 6 game against the Los Angeles Rams. Locked On Cardinals host Alex Clancy raised the possibility of injured reserve while stressing that no such move has been announced.
The immediate stakes go beyond one game. Arizona selected Love third overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, and he has supplied 245 rushing yards and a touchdown on 67 carries through five games. The Cardinals need his explosiveness, particularly with their ground game struggling.
Coach Mike LaFleur said this week that Love’s previous right ankle injury has healed, but the left ankle has limited him for the past couple of weeks and requires a day-to-day approach. That distinction leaves open the possibility that rest, rather than a roster move, resolves the issue.
Without Love, running backs Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight become more important behind an offense that has not consistently created room on the ground. Clancy suggested Arizona could also reduce the strain on Love by moving him into the slot for selected snaps and using screens, quick slants, and other touches that get him in space without relying solely on the blocking in front of him.
That adjustment would get Love back on the field sooner without asking him to absorb a conventional rushing workload before he is fully comfortable cutting on the ankle.
Cardinals News and Notes
– Quarterback Jacoby Brissett needs quick throws and built-in short options against the Rams’ pass rush, Clancy said. Arizona also needs to take occasional deep shots if the protection gives Brissett enough time.
– Tight end Trey McBride and wide receiver Michael Wilson need to become the offense’s primary separation threats with Love unavailable, according to Clancy. Their ability to create space would give Brissett more reliable answers against a defense expected to pressure the pocket.
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