The Arizona Cardinals are expecting Jeremiyah Love to be ready for Week 5, even after the rookie running back dealt with an ankle issue in the loss to the New York Giants.
On Wednesday, head coach Mike LaFleur said the injury should not keep Love out against the Detroit Lions.
"No, it shouldn't impact [him]. But again, the best I can just tell you guys is maintenance. Just maintenance throughout the day, and then when we get to Sunday," Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur told reporters on Wednesday.
Love’s ankle was being tended to on the sideline during the Week 4 game, and he did not show up on the Cardinals’ final drive as they tried to steal the win. He was also on the field less than Tyler Allgeier, who out-snapped him 36-30.
This is not the same ankle problem Love dealt with in preseason. That earlier injury sidelined him for multiple weeks, but he has not missed a regular-season game so far.
“He’s been dealing with it for a little bit, but it’s just a management-type thing,” LaFleur said earlier in the week on Monday. “It’s like he tweaks it and then he feels fine, so we’re just trying to manage that. He’s doing a good job with it, too.”
The Cardinals will put out their first Week 5 practice injury report later today. They are scheduled to practice three times this week before listing players as out, questionable or doubtful on Friday.
After the loss in New York, Love spoke about the grind of playing through a rookie season in the NFL.
"My body sometimes is down, sometimes tired. So it's just managing those things.
And coaches know that. This is probably gonna be the longest year of my life," Love said after Week 4.
"I just want to manage that workload. So today just obviously making sure to keep an eye on managing me.
But I didn't go out there hurt anything or anything like that. They're doing what they need to do to keep me up so that I can finish the season."
Arizona has made a point of splitting carries between Love and Allgeier to help keep Love fresh. Through four games, Love has 55 carries for 223 yards, averaging 4.1 yards per carry, with one rushing touchdown. He has also caught 11 passes for 36 yards and one receiving touchdown.
The Cardinals are 1-3 and trying to avoid a fourth straight defeat after opening the year with a win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
If Love is cleared to play, the matchup could set up well for him. Detroit’s defense has allowed the most yards and the second-most points per game so far this season.
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