Arizona Cardinals Place Rookie Running Back Jeremiyah Love on Injured Reserve
The third-overall draft pick will miss at least four weeks due to a recurring ankle injury.
The Arizona Cardinals officially placed rookie running back Jeremiyah Love on injured reserve Tuesday following a persistent ankle injury. The move, which was anticipated after head coach Mike LaFleur suggested the possibility on Monday, sidelines the former Notre Dame standout for a minimum of four weeks.
Love, who was selected third overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, has struggled with ankle issues since the preseason. Despite these setbacks, the rookie managed to appear in six games this season, recording 268 rushing yards and one touchdown on 76 carries. His most productive performance occurred on September 27 against the San Francisco 49ers, where he tallied 90 rushing yards.
The injury occurred during Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Love attempted to play through the discomfort but was limited to 23 yards on nine carries before being forced to exit the contest. According to reports, the latest setback is a high ankle sprain, marking a significant hurdle in his debut professional season.
Reflecting on the rookie's situation, coach Mike LaFleur expressed sympathy for the player's circumstances. "It just stinks for him — he wants to be out there helping his teammates," LaFleur stated. "This is a guy who loves ball, who wants to contribute, he's such team guy, such a coachable guy and a likable guy. For him going through what he's going through, it's adversity for sure, but he's going to be stronger because of this."
In the wake of Love's departure from the lineup, the Cardinals' backfield will see a shift in responsibility. Veteran Tyler Allgeier is expected to take on a primary role after delivering a strong performance in relief during Sunday's game, where he accumulated 147 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. Allgeier will work alongside quarterback Gardner Minshew as the team navigates this transition.
The Cardinals' roster has been heavily impacted by injuries throughout the current season. Beyond Love, the team placed veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne on injured reserve due to an ankle injury that could potentially end his season. Other members of the rookie class, including Chase Bisontis and Kaleb Proctor, have also been sidelined for the remainder of the year due to knee injuries, while players like Reggie Virgil and Jayden Williams continue to manage their own health concerns.
While expectations for Love were high given his status as a top draft pick and his collegiate success, his transition to the NFL has been complicated by these physical challenges. The team remains hopeful that the mandatory rest period will allow him to recover fully and regain the form that made him a standout prospect at Notre Dame.