Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love To Miss Week 6

Love, 21, suffered a high ankle sprain in the preseason that briefly threatened his availability for Week 1. He played through the injury in Arizona’s first five games, but looked nothing like the No. 3 pick in April’s draft who racked up more than 3,000 yards and 40 touchdowns from scrimmage in his last two years at Notre Dame. Love averaged just 3.7 yards per attempt and 49.0 yards per game to start his NFL career, including a 12-carry, 22-yard performance last Sunday against the Lions that amplified the need to rest his ankle.

LaFleur said on Wednesday (via ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss) that the team was proceeding “one day at a time” with their first-round pick, who did not practice at all this week. Love’s absence could move Tyler Allgeier into a true lead back role on Sunday. He has fared even worse than his rookie teammate to open the season with just 119 yards on 35 carries. Zonovan Knight will take on backup duties with Jerome Ford or Evan Hull in line for an elevation from the practice squad.

The Cardinals will be hoping that a week off will get Love’s ankle back into playing condition quickly. LaFleur noted on Friday (via Urban) that the injury has limited the rookie’s ability to make cuts and run routes, limiting his contributions in the passing game. The team intends to feature him as a receiver once his ankle is in better shape.