Overview
- LaFleur said Monday that he “feels good” about Love’s chances and that the rookie was “moving around” during a team walk-through, but the club will disclose practice participation on Wednesday.
- Arizona placed Love on its active 53-man roster despite his preseason high-ankle sprain, yet the first official Week 1 depth chart lists Tyler Allgeier as the No. 1 running back and Love as RB2.
- Love has not taken team practice reps since the Aug. 13 injury, and medical timelines for high-ankle sprains commonly run four to six weeks, placing a Week 1 return at the short end of expected recovery.
- If Love is cleared, the Cardinals plan to manage his snaps because of limited practice work and the risk of re-injury, while Allgeier and Bam Knight stand ready to absorb early carries and Evan Hull is on the practice squad for emergency depth.
- Love’s status matters beyond Week 1 because he is the No. 3 overall pick expected to be a central offensive weapon, so how Arizona handles his rehab now will shape his early-season workload and the team’s running-game design.