Overview
- Head coach Mike LaFleur said James Conner is making progress in his return from 2025 foot surgery but the team remains unsure if he will be ready for the opener.
- Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love is out of practice while he recovers from an ankle injury that officials have classified as significant enough to sideline him through the preseason.
- If both Conner and Love are unavailable, the Cardinals expect veteran Tyler Allgeier to carry the bulk of the workload as the Week 1 lead back.
- The club's depth is thin after other backfield moves and injuries, including Trey Benson reverting to injured reserve and Chase Bisontis remaining on IR, which raises the chance of practice-squad calls or emergency signings.
- Coaches face scrutiny over preseason usage and live reps after the team invested a top draft pick in Love and signed Conner to return from surgery, and roster decisions in the next days will shape the Cardinals' short-term running-game plan.