The Chargers can’t afford to treat Jeremiyah Love like a placeholder on Sunday.
Arizona’s rookie running back is expected to make his NFL debut against Los Angeles, and even with a high ankle sprain still hanging over him, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is putting himself in position to play. That alone forces the Chargers to game-plan for a backfield that could look a lot different than it did in the preseason.
The tricky part for Los Angeles is that no one really knows how Arizona will split the work. The Cardinals’ unofficial depth chart has veteran Tyler Allgeier ahead of Love, and the team, along with Mike LaFleur, has signaled it doesn’t plan to lean on one runner for everything. Love also missed more than three weeks of practice while recovering.
Still, that doesn’t make him someone the Chargers can ignore.
Love flashed plenty in his lone preseason appearance before the injury. He ran for 58 yards on 11 carries and caught three passes for 14 yards, showing off the burst that made him such a coveted prospect. That kind of ability is exactly why Los Angeles has to be ready for him to play a real role, not just a token one.
And that’s where the challenge gets messy for Chris O'Leary’s defense. The Chargers have to prepare for both Love and Allgeier without knowing how Arizona will divide the touches. Allgeier is listed first, but Love could still work his way into the center of the game plan quickly if his ankle holds up.
The biggest concern is letting Love get loose in space. If he reaches the second level with momentum, and especially if Arizona gets him involved as a receiver, he can make things uncomfortable fast.
Of course, his injury could still limit him, and Allgeier might end up handling most of the carries. But none of that changes the approach for Los Angeles.
The Chargers have to assume Jeremiyah Love can make an immediate impact.
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Chargers Opener Could Suddenly Test An Unproven Pass Rusher
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Akheem Mesidor is the name to watch if Tuipulotu cannot go. The rookie could see a larger slice of the pass-rush rotation, and the Chargers have already shown belief in his upside. If the game plan opens the door, Mesidor may be in line for a meaningful NFL debut, with a chance to turn an unexpected injury situation into an early role. [Read more 🡒]