One of the highest-profile rookies in the NFL is out of commission, at least for now. Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love, the team’s No. 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, will miss at least one week as he mends a sore ankle.
The news comes from Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur. On Saturday, he told reporters that Love is out, for the moment.
“We’ll keep him out this week, as we let it heal,” LaFleur said during the news conference, according to the New York Post. “A little bit more sore than we were anticipating.”
Arizona Cardinals rookie Jeremiyah Love impressed in the team’s preseason debut
Love made his NFL debut Thursday during the team’s 27-14 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. He had an impressive showing, rushing the ball 11 times for 58 yards and making three receptions for 14 yards.
But, the danger of the preseason is that players can get injured for nothing. That’s what happened here.
With this news, he’s expected to miss the team’s game against the Dallas Cowboys next weekend. However, his status for the rest of the preseason is up in the air.
Love was a standout at Notre Dame, where he scored 35 rushing touchdowns and five receiving during his last two seasons with the legendary university. The Cardinals signed him to a four-year, $53 million rookie contract, setting a record for the most guaranteed money ever given to a running back.
The Cardinals’ first game of the regular season is on Sept. 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers.