yardbarker
The Arizona Cardinals have placed rookie running back Jeremiyah Love on injured reserve because of a high-ankle sprain, according to ESPN and NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. The injury will sideline Love for four to five weeks, marking another setback in a rookie campaign that has been defined by availability issues.
Love, the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, had just returned from a two-game absence due to a lingering ankle injury. In Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys, he carried the ball nine times for 23 yards before exiting in the first half. He was seen walking off the field and later slamming his helmet on the sideline, a reaction that suggested his frustration with yet another injury.
Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur expressed sympathy for Love's situation. "It just stinks for him. He wants to be out there helping his teammates," LaFleur said Monday, via the Associated Press (h/t Fox Sports). "This is a guy who loves ball, who wants to contribute; he's such a 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."
LaFleur clarified that the ankle injury Love suffered on Sunday is new and not related to the two previous ankle injuries he has dealt with. It is his third distinct ankle injury since August. In Love's absence, Tyler Allgeier stepped up with a career-high 147 rushing yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns, including a 63-yard score, in the dramatic win over Dallas.
Key Analysis
The recurring ankle issues raise concerns about Love's durability and long-term availability. Performance Physical Therapist Dr. Ribu Thomas noted on X that recovery isn't just about the ankle healing but also about "trusting [the ankle] to cut again." For a player whose rookie season has been marred by injuries, regaining that trust will be as crucial as the physical rehabilitation. The Cardinals will need to rely on Allgeier and others to fill the void while Love works his way back.
Originally reported by yardbarker.