Team news: Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals’ split in run-game workload is probably a good window into how they’ll manage Jeremiyah Love’s rookie year. The No. 3 pick had 11 carries and two catches against the Chargers, while veteran Tyler Allgeier had 17 carries and two catches. Smartly, Arizona’s plan is to be judicious about running up mileage on their special young talent. And in time, they could have James Conner back, too, to help lighten the load.

We touched on this a bit in Monday's news as well. Love was just coming back from an ankle injury and it wasn't a surprise he was out-touched and out-snapped by Allgeier. And as we added Monday, Allgeier is a pretty good back on top of everything else. They get a tough matchup against the Seahawks this week, but until we see something change, both backs may be more of flex options.

LaFleur said Jeremiyah Love wasn’t really on a snap count off his ankle injury on Sunday; the usage between he and Tyler Allgeier was more game flow.

It's hard to imagine the Cardinals not at least trying to keep an eye on Love's usage in Week 1 coming off an ankle injury that left everyone unsure if he was even going to suit up Week 1. But the other factor is Allgeier is a pretty good running back too. Allgeier had 17 carries to Love's 11 in Week 1. Until there is a trend more one way or the other, both backs will come with risks and look to be more flex options in your lineup. The Cards will play the Seahawks in Week 2, which make both backs especially risky for lineups.

Jeremiyah Love is expected to make his NFL debut against the Chargers after practicing on a limited basis this week. He has been recovering from the high-ankle sprain he suffered during the preseason.

Related Players: Tyler Allgeier, Zonovan Knight

Love can return to fantasy lineups as an RB2/Flex, but Arizona may manage his workload coming off the ankle injury. Allgeier remains likely to handle a meaningful share of the backfield work and was listed first on the team’s unofficial depth chart.

The Cardinals are listing Tyler Allgeier as the team's RB1

Related players: Jeremiyah Love, Zonovan Knight

This may not be a great sign for Love and his status for Week 1 as he tries to get on the field after a high ankle sprain. Even if Love is active, the Cardinals may be trying to tell us Allgeier is going to have a role no matter what. We have a few days before the Cardinals take the field, so hopefully we get some clarity by then. But those who invested early in Love in drafts, may have a tough lineup decision for Week 1.

Cardinals HC Mike LaFleur said Monday he is optimistic that first-round pick Jeremiyah Love will be able to play Sunday against the Chargers.

Related players: Tyler Allgeier, Zonovan Knight

We're at about the four-week mark since Love suffered a high ankle sprain and it's been a race against the clock to get him ready. While the Cards would love to have their first round pick in the lineup Week 1, they have a more than capable back in Allgeier. However, this seems like very good news for Love owners that he'll be ready to go Week 1. It will be worth monitoring right up until gametime to see if we can get a clue about a potential workload if Love is active. Even if he's a go, Love could be on a pitch count.

Cardinals reached agreement Wednesday with standout WR Michael Wilson on a three-year extension that keeps him in Arizona through the 2029 season, per me and @RapSheet. Wilson is expected to sign the deal today.

Related Players: Marvin Harrison Jr., Kendrick Bourne, Simi Fehoko, Jalen Brooks, Trey McBride

The extension does not change Wilson’s immediate projection, but the substantial guarantee confirms that Arizona views him as a core starting receiver rather than a player keeping the position warm. His 2025 breakout was aided by Harrison missing time or playing at less than full strength, leaving Wilson’s target volume vulnerable when both receivers are available. Either one could end up leading the team in all major receiving categories, though McBride could have a word.

Rookie RB Jeremiyah Love is "progressing really well" toward playing in Week 1 and he took another step yesterday and LaFleur said he'll take another step today.

Related players: Tyler Allgeier, Zonovan Knight

It sounds like Love has a chance to play in Week 1, but it's certainly not a lock at this point, especially coming off a high ankle sprain. Even if Love plays, it may not be a full workload. Allgeier is a more than capable back and could be in store for a big workload if Love can't suit up. Knight flashed for the Cards at time last season and would likely get some work as well. If you drafted Love, or plan to, having Allgeier as a handcuff seems like a good idea.

The Arizona Cardinals have activated linebacker Josh Sweat off the Physically Unable to Perform list and waived injured running back Trey Benson.

Related players: Jeremiyah Love, Tyler Allgeier, James Conner, Zonovan Knight

If Benson clears waivers he will revert to the teams IR list. The writing was on the wall for someone in the Arizona backfield after the team signed Allgeier and drafted Love this past spring. Benson could land somewhere else but he's still dealing with a knee injury that cost him his 2025 season.

Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love is unlikely to play again this preseason as he recovers from a high ankle sprain.

The initial thought was that Love would miss this coming week and be re-evaluated. The Cardinals are now hoping he can return for their regular-season opener September 13 against the Chargers. Love suffered the injury during Thursday's preseason game against the Raiders. The Cardinals need to be very cautious with the back they just spent the No. 3 overall pick on in April's draft. Love is being drafted in the third round, on average.

Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love will miss at least this week, including Arizona’s upcoming preseason game against the Cowboys, with a sore ankle.

The Cardinals will reevaluate Love after a week. He suffered the injury during Thursday’s preseason game against the Raiders and he will miss next week’s game against the Cowboys. Love rushed 11 times for 58 yards before exiting the game. The Cardinals would be wise to be cautious with their No. 3 overall pick and a running back who is guaranteed $53 million, more than the three top running backs who just signed new deals in Jahmyr Gibbs ($51.5 million), Bijan Robinson ($51.5 million) and Jonathan Taylor ($39 million).