By admin 
Jeremiyah Love and the Arizona Cardinals are still waiting to find out if their prized rookie will be ready for Week 1. Love was limited in practice this week after suffering a left high ankle sprain during his only preseason appearance, and he didn’t tip his hand Thursday when asked about his outlook, saying only that he’ll do whatever head coach Mike LaFleur needs from him against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Before the injury, the No. 3 overall pick was putting together the kind of offseason Arizona hoped for. The rookie running back racked up 58 rushing yards on 11 carries and added three catches for 14 yards before the ankle injury ended his preseason appearance in Las Vegas.
It capped a strong first look at a player who became the highest-drafted running back since Saquon Barkley went second overall back in 2018.
Arizona has treated him like a building block from the moment his name was called, and he’s already being mentioned as a leading Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate heading into his first NFL season.
Now, there’s real optimism building around his availability.
ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss reported Thursday that “a source told me the expectation is that Jeremiyah Love will play Sunday against the Chargers,” a sign the ankle issue may not keep him out of the opener after all.
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His college tape explains why the hype has followed him to the NFL. Love ran for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns on 199 carries at Notre Dame in 2025, averaging 6.9 yards per attempt, and added 280 receiving yards and three more scores on 27 catches.
That production added up to 21 total touchdowns in his final college season, and if he can shake off the ankle injury, the Cardinals believe he’s ready to be the offensive centerpiece they drafted him to become.
Arizona will open the 2026 NFL regular season on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS.
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This story was originally published September 11, 2026 at 8:20 AM.