Cardinals set Jeremiyah Love to return to practice Wednesday

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur said Monday that rookie running back Jeremiyah Love will return to practice on Wednesday. LaFleur told Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic, and Underdog NFL posted the same update Monday afternoon. Love has missed the last two games with a left ankle injury.

What is confirmed

Love will be back on the practice field when Arizona opens its Week 8 work on Wednesday. That is the first time since the injury flared that the team has put a practice date on his return. He sat out the Week 6 game against the Rams and the Week 7 game against the Broncos, and he did not practice in either of those weeks.

The Cardinals play the Dallas Cowboys on the road Sunday.

What is still open

A practice return is not a game status. LaFleur did not say whether Love will be a full or limited participant, and the team has not said he will play against Dallas. Wednesday's injury report is the first real read. Friday's report will settle his status for Sunday.

Earlier in the month, LaFleur said the ankle bothered Love when he planted his left foot, which kept him out of a bigger passing-game role. How he moves in practice this week matters as much as whether he plays.

Why it matters for RSO owners

Love, the third overall pick in April, has 245 rushing yards on 67 carries through five games, plus 11 catches. With him out, Bam Knight has taken the early-down work ahead of Tyler Allgeier, with 22 carries for 128 yards over the two games, per RotoBaller.

If you roster Love, hold him and keep him on your bench until Arizona lists him as a full participant or drops his game designation. Do not cut or move him at a discount over a two-week ankle injury on a cheap rookie deal. If you added Knight as a fill-in, keep him through Friday, since Love may return to a split backfield at first.

What to watch next

Watch Wednesday's practice report for Love's participation level, then Friday's game status for the Dallas trip. A limited Wednesday followed by full work Thursday would point to him playing Sunday.