The Arizona Cardinals kept just three running backs on their initial 53-man roster: Jeremiyah Love, Tyler Allgeier, and Bam Knight.
That decision could hint at Arizona's optimism that Love is ready to go in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers, though his status remains to be seen. That matchup takes place on September 13, and the Cardinals' official injury report won't be released until September 9.
Arizona's No. 3 overall pick suffered a high-ankle sprain in his preseason debut against the Las Vegas Raiders. Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur expressed confidence that Love is "progressing really well."
Jeremiyah Love's Week 1 status is a coin flip for the Cardinals
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Love's chances of playing Week 1 are currently "about 50/50."
That seems somewhat lower than expected given how well Love's recovery seems to be going. However, it also wouldn't be that surprising if the rebuilding Cardinals -- in the conversation for another high draft pick in 2027 -- lean on the side of caution with their prized rookie.
If that's the case, you'd have to assume it wouldn't be a lengthy absence, with a Week 2 return against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks a very reasonable estimate.
While we personally think Love will ultimately suit up against the Chargers, if he's unable to go, look for Arizona to lean on underrated offseason signing Tyler Allgeier.
At that point, it's also possible they elevate running back Evan Hull, who recently was re-signed to the Cardinals' practice squad following cutdown day. Still, one would expect the more proven Allgeier to take on more of a bell-cow role in Mike LaFleur's offense at that point.
That's not necessarily something Arizona wants to do this year, as they want to give touches to both Love and Allgeier to preserve them throughout the rebuilding season. Again, that raises the question of whether Arizona really needed to address the running back position with their top pick, given their NFL-readiness and relatively shorter shelf lives don't align well with the Cardinals' rebuilding timeline.
That said, there's no debating the talent, as this one-two punch of Love and Allgeier is suddenly among the best running back duos in the NFL (especially now that former Lion David Montgomery now finds himself with the Texans). That depth at the position is going to be beneficial with unfortunate injury situations like these.
While it may not ulitmately change the win-loss outcome of a game that the Cardinals are currently heavy underdogs in, fans (and fantasy managers) are understandably eager to see the Notre Dame product's anticpated NFL regular season debut.
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