Jeremiyah Love to Miss One Week After 58-Yard Performance Against Raiders

Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love will sit out the next week of action after recording 11 carries and 23 snaps against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love will miss the next week of team activities to recover from a sore ankle sustained during Thursday night's preseason contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. Before the injury, Love logged 23 snaps, rushing 11 times for 58 yards and securing three receptions for an additional 14 yards. Head coach Mike LaFleur confirmed the timeline on Saturday, noting that the player experienced increased soreness on Friday compared to the night of the game.

Following the evaluation in Tempe, Arizona, LaFleur stated that the rookie was more sore than the coaching staff had originally anticipated. Despite the physical setback, the coach mentioned that Love remained in great spirits as of Friday. The Cardinals organization plans to reevaluate the status of the ankle next week to establish a definitive plan for the remainder of the preseason schedule. Due to this recovery period, Love is officially ruled out for Saturday night's preseason matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

Backfield Rotation Adjustments

With Love sidelined for the upcoming week, the Arizona running back rotation will undergo immediate changes. Tyler Allgeier is set to lead the rotation, followed by Bam Knight and Corey Kiner. This shift comes as the team manages multiple injuries across the position group. Trey Benson is currently progressing through a flare-up in his left knee, an area that previously underwent surgical repair. While LaFleur did not provide a specific return timeline for Benson, he indicated the player is performing better than in recent days.

Veteran James Conner also remains out of 11-on-11 drills and preseason game action. Conner missed 14 games during the previous season due to a right foot injury. LaFleur described Conner's current status as progressing but declined to set a specific date for his return to the field. The coaching staff is prioritizing "return to performance" over a simple return to play, emphasizing that a veteran of Conner's caliber has earned the right to determine when he is physically capable of performing at his established high level.

Preseason Statistical Impact

The loss of Love removes a significant portion of Thursday's offensive production from the active roster this week. His 72 total yards from scrimmage accounted for a notable share of the workload against Las Vegas. The team will now rely on the trio of Allgeier, Knight, and Kiner to handle the carries against Dallas. The staff intends to monitor how these players manage the increased snap counts while Love undergoes treatment for his ankle.

Coach LaFleur reiterated that the decision to hold players out is based on their ability to perform at their peak capacity. For Conner specifically, the team is avoiding rushing the process, noting that the veteran is eager to return in due time. The medical staff will continue to observe the recovery of both the rookie and the veterans as the preseason progresses toward the regular season opener. Further updates on the backfield depth chart are expected following the reevaluation of Love's ankle next week.