Sources: Cardinals RB Love has high ankle sprain

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  Josh WeinfussAug 16, 2026, 09:01 PM ET

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  Josh Weinfuss is a staff writer who covers the Arizona Cardinals and the NFL at ESPN. Josh has covered the Cardinals since 2012, joining ESPN in 2013. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and a graduate of Indiana University.

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love is dealing with a high ankle sprain and is unlikely to play the rest of the preseason for the Arizona Cardinals, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur declined to reveal whether Love's ankle injury was high or low.

"It's an ankle, so we'll keep it at that," LaFleur said.

On Saturday, LaFleur said Love would miss this week and would be reevaluated next week.

The Cardinals are hoping Love can be ready to play Week 1 in Los Angeles against the Chargers, sources told Schefter.

Love played 23 snaps Thursday night, rushing 11 times for 58 yards and catching three passes for 14 yards.

"It's a rookie that hadn't played," LaFleur said Sunday, explaining what the Cardinals hoped to accomplish with that kind of work load in the preseason. "Knowing that, not to share too many secrets because I haven't said it with the players yet, but knowing that it was about what it was going to be in terms of how many games these guys were going to play for what we were looking for. So, yeah, that's what the thought was."

LaFleur said Sunday that he's noticed that Love is a "quick learner," and he pointed to Love's staying more grounded as Thursday night's game went on, which helped Love get into a rhythm.

"He had a good time and, really, for him, his confidence level went through the roof after that third drive," LaFleur said. "And it's just unfortunate that on the last play, he gets somewhat rolled up on."

On Sunday, LaFleur also said that rookie quarterback Carson Beck is "day to day" as he continues to recover from rib soreness.

Beck suffered the injury in last week's Hall of Fame Game on a four-yard run in the first quarter, a source told ESPN earlier this week.

"Full transparency, the discomfort's still just kind of there," LaFleur said. "And, so, just wanting to let him heal a little bit more and when we're ready to go, we're ready to go. It's not going to be long term, like I said, but that's where we're at."