Jeremiyah Love’s path toward a Week 1 debut took a meaningful step forward Monday, and the Arizona Cardinals sound increasingly hopeful that their rookie running back could be on the field against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Head coach Mike LaFleur didn’t sound definitive, but he did give Love’s chances a boost.
“I feel good,” LaFleur said Monday when discussing Love’s chances of playing.
Love, who has been working back from a high-ankle sprain, was able to move around during Arizona’s walkthrough on Monday. That’s another positive sign after the injury kept him out for most of the preseason.
The Cardinals will have a clearer picture on Wednesday, when they release their first official injury report of the week.
If Love is available, it would be a notable development for an Arizona offense set to introduce the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Love’s recovery has been a slow build since he hurt the ankle in an Aug. 13 preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He never returned to practice or game action after that and was still in street clothes during an open practice last week.
Now, about four weeks after the injury, the former Notre Dame standout looks closer than ever to making his NFL regular-season debut.
Arizona’s roster construction suggested confidence in his progress. The Cardinals kept just three running backs on the initial 53-man roster: Love, Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight. They also signed Evan Hull to the practice squad, giving the team another option if Love isn’t ready.
Even if he does suit up Sunday, Arizona could still take a cautious approach with his snaps because of the injury and his limited time on the practice field.
Still, getting him back would give LaFleur another dynamic weapon in the backfield - and one the Cardinals clearly expect to matter for a long time.
Love arrived in Arizona carrying big expectations after his standout Notre Dame career and a selection third overall. An August injury delayed the start of that next chapter.
Now, that debut could be only days away.
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