Cardinals face running back uncertainty ahead of Chargers opener
Head coach Mike LaFleur admits the Arizona Cardinals are unsure if James Conner will be fit for Week 1, with Jeremiyah Love also sidelined and Tyler Allgeier poised to lead the backfield if necessary.
The Arizona Cardinals are entering their Week 1 match against the Los Angeles Chargers with significant uncertainty regarding their running back depth. Head coach Mike LaFleur confirmed on Wednesday that the team remains unsure whether veteran James Conner will be fit enough to play in the season opener.
Conner is returning from a foot injury that ended his 2025 season, which has limited his practice participation throughout the summer. While LaFleur noted that Conner is making progress, the coach acknowledged that the timeline is becoming a concern. "It's starting to creep up," LaFleur said, via Darren Urban of the team's website.
The uncertainty is compounded by the status of rookie Jeremiyah Love, who is currently recovering from an ankle injury. Love is expected to miss practice this week as he works through his recovery. This injury follows a high ankle sprain he sustained during a preseason match against the Las Vegas Raiders earlier in August.
With both primary options in doubt, the Cardinals have a clear contingency plan. If neither Conner nor Love is available for the opener, Tyler Allgeier is expected to step in as the lead running back to kick off the regular season.
The situation highlights the broader injury concerns facing several NFL teams ahead of the 2026 season. While other franchises monitor high-profile returns from surgery, the Cardinals are focused on managing the immediate availability of their backfield for their first game against the Chargers.
