Cardinals share surprising Jeremiyah Love update ahead of Week 1

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Cardinals share surprising Jeremiyah Love update ahead of Week 1

By Steven Kubitza | Last updated Sep 8, 2026 4:52 PM ET

The Arizona Cardinals drafted running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That means he is seen as a future star player and a franchise cornerstone.

This draft slot also made him a popular pick in fantasy football drafts. Yet the latest update from the team on Love will have plenty of fans surprised.

Cardinals reveal Jeremiyah Love's Week 1 status

The Cardinals dropped an unofficial Week 1 depth chart and Love is listed as RB2 behind Tyler Allgeier. That is not where anyone expected this year's No. 3 overall pick to end up as the season gets underway.

On the Cardinals’ unofficial depth chart ahead of Sunday’s regular-season opener vs. the Chargers, Tyler Allgeier is listed as RB1 and rookie Jeremiyah Love is listed as RB2. pic.twitter.com/XqTskse0uk
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2026

Yet there is a logical explanation to Allgeier being listed as the starter. Love suffered a sprained ankle in the team's preseason opener and has been out ever since. Head coach Mike LaFleur did say he is optimistic about the rookie's Week 1 status, but there is no need to rush him back so early in the year.

Aggravating this injury in Week 1 would be a nightmare for the Cardinals after using such a high pick on Love.

Allgeier joins the Cardinals after spending the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons. He ran for 514 yards and eight touchdowns last season in a backup role behind Bijan Robinson.

He now enters Week 1 ready to prove he can carry an offense as the starting running back.

Love, meanwhile, may still play on Sunday. If not, he can rest up and begin his NFL career at full health, which is likely the Cardinals' top priority with the No. 3 overall pick.

Steven Kubitza

Steven Kubitza is a Cleveland, Ohio, native with over a decade in the news industry. His work has been featured on Yahoo Sports, FOX Sports, and FanSided, among other outlets. He is a lifelong Browns fan who is convinced the team will turn things around at some point in the next 50 years

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