Cardinals Rookie Jeremiyah Love Sidelined with High Ankle Sprain Ahead of Season Opener
Head coach Mike LaFleur confirms increased soreness following injury against Las Vegas Raiders, with team targeting September 13 return against Los Angeles Chargers.
Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love is expected to miss the remainder of the preseason after sustaining a high ankle sprain during a matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. The injury, reported by ESPN, has placed the third overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on the sidelines as the team manages its roster ahead of the regular season.
Head coach Mike LaFleur indicated that Love is experiencing more ankle soreness than initially anticipated. Following Friday’s game, LaFleur stated that the team plans to hold the rookie out for approximately one week to allow the injury to heal. A re-evaluation of Love’s availability for the rest of the preseason will be conducted next week.
Love contributed 11 rushes for 58 yards against the Raiders, splitting backfield duties with Tyler Allgier. Despite sitting out the Hall of Fame Game the previous week, he made notable plays and contributed to three Cardinals scoring drives during the contest.
The Cardinals are hopeful that Love will recover in time for the regular-season opener on 13 September against the Los Angeles Chargers. While the team does not hold the highest expectations for Year 1 under LaFleur, Love is viewed as a significant asset for the roster in 2026 and beyond, having been selected from Notre Dame in the 2026 NFL Draft.
It remains uncertain whether Love will be cleared for further preseason action, as the upcoming re-evaluation will determine his status. The team’s primary focus remains on ensuring his readiness for the start of the regular season.
