Jeremiyah Love's Injury Raises Concerns Over Running Back Preseason Usage

The Arizona Cardinals faced a setback in Week 1 of the 2026 preseason when rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, selected third overall in the NFL Draft, sustained a high ankle sprain during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Despite a strong showing with 11 carries for 58 yards and three receptions for 14 yards, Love's injury raises questions about the risks associated with playing running backs in preseason games. His availability for the regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers is now uncertain.

Ryan Paganetti, a former game management coach, highlighted data indicating that running backs who suffer ankle sprains typically miss over four weeks and often struggle to regain their previous performance levels upon return. This situation may lead teams to reconsider the amount of playing time given to their starting running backs during preseason games.