Cardinals rule out Jeremiyah Love for Rams game with no IR move planned

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur ruled out rookie running back Jeremiyah Love on Friday for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams. The team's own site and Pro Football Talk both carried the decision from LaFleur's Friday press conference, and the coach said there has been no discussion of placing Love on injured reserve.

What is confirmed

Love has a left ankle injury that has bothered him for a couple of weeks, and he did not practice at all this week. It will be the first regular-season game he misses as a pro. LaFleur said the staff knew on Monday, after watching the Detroit game and talking with Love, that the Rams game was "a longshot."

"Not good enough, obviously, right now to go Sunday," LaFleur said, adding that the team will re-evaluate him every day.

Tyler Allgeier starts at running back, with Bam Knight as the backup, according to the team. Arizona is also expected to elevate Evan Hull from the practice squad as a third option.

LaFleur tied the ankle to Love's quiet role in the passing game. "When he puts his left foot in the ground, it's just not right right now," he said, and he called Love a future big part of the pass game once he can cut freely.

Why it matters for RSO owners

Love ran for 22 yards on 12 carries against the Lions and has 245 yards on 67 attempts through five games. The ankle has capped his production for weeks, so a full week off could be the best outcome for his value the rest of the year.

The no-IR comment matters most in contract leagues. It points to a short absence, so this is not the moment to sell a first-round rookie at a discount.

What to do now

Bench Love for Week 6. If Allgeier is on your roster, he moves into the RB2 or flex conversation as the starter in a road divisional game. If he is still a free agent, he is the priority add. Knight is a deeper-league handcuff only.

What to watch next

Arizona plays Denver in Week 7. Love's practice status on Wednesday will be the first real signal. A limited session would make him a likely return. Another week without practice would raise the IR question LaFleur set aside on Friday.