Top draft pick Jeremiyah Love is sidelined with an ankle injury, while offensive lineman Chase Bisontis faces a potential season-ending knee injury.
The Arizona Cardinals have confirmed that their top selection from the 2026 NFL Draft, running back Jeremiyah Love, will be sidelined for at least one week. The decision follows an ankle injury sustained during the team's initial preseason matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders this past Thursday. While the rookie initially expressed positive sentiment regarding his physical condition immediately following the contest, subsequent evaluations on Friday revealed a level of soreness that exceeded the coaching staff's initial expectations.
Head coach Mike LaFleur addressed the media on Saturday, explaining that the organization is opting for a conservative approach to ensure the young playmaker’s long-term health. Although there was optimism regarding Love's recovery, the team intends to prioritize healing over immediate participation. Consequently, Love will be held out of all practice sessions throughout the current week, effectively ruling him out for the upcoming exhibition game against the Dallas Cowboys.
When pressed on whether the injury might jeopardize Love’s availability for the highly anticipated Week 1 regular season opener, the coaching staff remained non-committal. LaFleur emphasized that the focus is currently limited to the immediate recovery window. The team plans to re-evaluate the running back's status early next week to determine his readiness to return to the field, maintaining a cautious outlook as they navigate the remainder of the preseason schedule.
With Love unavailable for the immediate future, the Cardinals are forced to adjust their backfield depth chart. Tyler Allgeier is expected to assume the starting responsibilities in the interim, supported portunity for the reserves to demonstrate their capabilities in game-like scenarios while the coaching staff manages the health of their primary options.
The situation in the running back room is further complicated right foot injury that kept him out for 14 games during the previous season, has yet to participate in full 11-on-11 team drills. The combination of Love’s sudden setback and Conner’s gradual integration creates a fluid situation for the offensive coaching staff as they attempt to build cohesion before the regular season commences.
The injury report for the Cardinals is not limited to the skill positions. In a significant blow to the team's offensive line, second-round pick Chase Bisontis sustained a torn MCL in his left knee during the same preseason opener against the Raiders. Bisontis had been competing for a starting role at right guard, and this injury represents a major setback for both the player and the team's developmental plans for the offensive front.
LaFleur confirmed that Bisontis will be placed on injured reserve and will require surgical intervention to repair the damage. The prognosis for the rookie lineman is grim, with the coach noting that he could be sidelined for an extended period, potentially missing the entirety of his debut season. The loss of a high-draft-pick lineman underscores the inherent risks of the preseason and forces the front office to re-evaluate their depth strategies for the trenches.
The organization has expressed sympathy for the rookie's situation, focusing on his personal recovery despite the tactical disadvantage his absence creates for the roster. As the Cardinals continue their training camp in Tempe, the focus shifts to finding suitable replacements along the interior line to maintain the structural integrity of the offense. The dual loss of Love and Bisontis serves as a sobering reminder of the physical demands of the NFL and the sudden nature of personnel changes during the preseason.