Cardinals optimistic about rookie running back Jeremiyah Love's availability for season opener
Arizona Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said the team hopes rookie RB Jeremiyah Love will recover from an ankle injury in time for the Week 1 game against the Chargers, while backup Tyler Allgeier remains a bench option.
Arizona Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said on Saturday that rookie running back Jeremiyah Love’s ankle injury is "a little more sore" and that he will be re-evaluated in a week, leaving his status for the season opener uncertain. The team expressed hope that Love could be ready for the Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to reports from NFL insiders.
Love appeared in Thursday’s preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, recording 73 scrimmage yards and 14 touches before exiting with the ankle issue. He returned to the field later in the game, playing 8 of 10 snaps on the third drive, but LaFleur did not commit to his participation in the final preseason contest.
In the meantime, veteran running back Tyler Allgeier has been receiving the majority of first-team carries in training camp, according to team reporter Darren Weinfuss. The coaching staff appears to be managing Love’s workload to keep him healthy for the full season, a strategy LaFleur said is intended to avoid overloading backs.
The Cardinals entered training camp on July 22 with a four-back group that includes Love, Allgeier, James Conner and Trey Benson. While Love is expected to compete for the primary role, the team has not ruled out a split-time arrangement early in the season.