Jeremiyah Love Week 6 out with ankle injury
Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love has been officially ruled out for the team’s Week 6 clash against the Los Angeles Rams. The promising young talent will miss Sunday’s game due to a persistent left ankle injury. This absence marks another significant challenge for a Cardinals offense already struggling for consistency this season.
The announcement, initially reported by NFL writer Ari Meirov, confirms Love’s ongoing battle with the injury. The decision to sideline him for the October 13, 2024, matchup at SoFi Stadium underscores the team’s caution. They are clearly prioritizing the long-term health of their third overall draft pick over a single, difficult divisional game.
Jeremiyah Love Week 6 sidelined
Jeremiyah Love’s left ankle issue has plagued him for several weeks, visibly affecting his on-field production and efficiency. He did not participate in team practices on Wednesday or Thursday of Week 6. This consistent discomfort ultimately led to the Cardinals’ decision to keep him off the field against the Rams.
Cardinals Head Coach Mike LaFleur confirmed the choice, stating the team wants to give Love’s ankle proper rest. The aim is to “get this ankle right” before he returns to action. This is separate from an earlier right ankle sprain Love sustained in a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, which has since healed.
Impact on Cardinals’ Struggling Offense
Love’s absence presents a further hurdle for an Arizona Cardinals team already in a tough spot. The team currently holds a 1-4 record, desperately looking to snap a four-game losing streak. They enter the Week 6 contest as heavy underdogs against their division rivals, the Los Angeles Rams.
The Cardinals’ offense has found consistency hard to come by this season, ranking 22nd in points scored per game with 21.6. They also sit at a concerning 31st in total offense across the league. Fantasy football managers will note this creates a ripple effect throughout the entire unit, impacting various positions.
With Love out, running back Tyler Allgeier is expected to step into a larger role in the backfield. Allgeier has maintained his health throughout the season and hasn’t appeared on any injury reports. He’s carried the ball 35 times for 119 yards and one touchdown this year, adding 12 receptions for 44 yards. Love had out-snapped Allgeier 36 to 32 in Week 5.
Love’s Draft Expectations and Early Performance
Jeremiyah Darnell Love, born May 31, 2005, arrived in Arizona with considerable fanfare. The former Notre Dame Fighting Irish star won the prestigious 2025 Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back. He was also a unanimous first-team All-American selection in college.
The Cardinals selected Love as the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This made him the highest-drafted running back since Saquon Barkley went second overall in 2018. Love subsequently signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Cardinals on May 8, 2026. This deal made him the highest-paid running back in NFL history by total contract value.
Despite the high expectations, Love’s rookie season has shown flashes of brilliance mixed with some struggles. Prior to Week 6, he accumulated 245 rushing yards on 67 carries, scoring one rushing touchdown. He also added 11 receptions for 36 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. His average of 3.7 yards per carry, however, has tempered some of the initial excitement.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave Love an overall grade of 67.7, placing him 20th among 44 qualified running backs. His PFF rushing grade was slightly better at 71.3 (17th), but his receiving grade of 44.9 ranked 39th.
ESPN analyst Field Yates has voiced concerns that Love hasn’t entirely lived up to his first-round status five games into his NFL career, suggesting he should be a more central figure in the offense.
Rams Defense Presents a Formidable Challenge
The Los Angeles Rams, who host the Cardinals this Sunday, bring a 2-3 record into the matchup. Their defense, led by the perennial All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald, poses a significant threat. Donald, now in his 11th NFL season, unretired on August 30, 2026. He continues to be a dominant force, amassing 111.0 sacks and 176 tackles for loss throughout his career.
For the 2026 season, Donald holds a PFF overall defensive grade of 67.1, ranking 31st among interior defensive linemen. His pass-rush grade of 75.5 is more impressive, placing him 12th. This kind of interior pressure can make life extremely difficult for any offense, particularly one without its primary ball-carrier. Historic run-stopping records often reflect the presence of such elite defensive linemen.
The Cardinals and Rams have already met once this season, a Week 2 contest on September 15, 2024, at State Farm Stadium. The Rams suffered a surprising 41-10 loss in that earlier matchup. However, the dynamics for this Week 6 game are vastly different, with the Cardinals battling injuries and struggling for form, and the Rams coming off an overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Prioritizing Player Health for the Long Term
The decision by Coach LaFleur and the Cardinals’ front office to sit Jeremiyah Love reflects a strategic long-term view. While a divisional game is always important, risking further aggravation of a lingering ankle injury for a foundational player like Love would be shortsighted. His four-year, $53 million contract signifies the organization’s significant investment and belief in his future.
LaFleur emphasized that the team wants to ensure Love’s full recovery. This cautious approach is crucial for a player who is expected to be a cornerstone of the franchise for years to come. Pushing him too hard now could lead to more serious, prolonged issues down the road, hindering his development and the team’s future prospects.
The Cardinals’ upcoming schedule includes a home game against the Denver Broncos on October 25, followed by road matchups against the Dallas Cowboys on November 1 and the Seattle Seahawks on November 8. The team will be hoping Love can return to full strength before this demanding stretch. His recovery timeline remains dependent on how the left ankle injury progresses.
Wider Implications for Rookie Development
For a rookie like Jeremiyah Love, navigating an early-career injury can be a critical test of resilience. While the physical recovery is paramount, the mental aspect of being sidelined also plays a role. Learning to trust the body again and reintegrate into game speed without fear of re-injury is a process that takes time.
The Cardinals’ medical staff and coaching unit will be vital in supporting his return.
His situation also highlights the intense pressure on highly-drafted players to perform immediately. While Love has shown flashes, his production hasn’t always aligned with his draft capital. This injury provides a pause, allowing him to reset and return with renewed focus. Ultimately, a fully healthy Love is far more valuable to the Cardinals than a hampered one.
Cardinals’ Overall Injury Woes and Depth
Love isn’t the only significant injury concern for the Arizona Cardinals. Safety Wydett Williams is currently in concussion protocol, and Andrew Wingard is dealing with a knee injury. The team also has running back James Conner on injured reserve. These mounting injuries underscore the depth challenges facing Head Coach Mike LaFleur in his inaugural season.
The reliance on Tyler Allgeier is a testament to the need for viable backups in the NFL. Allgeier has proven reliable, and his increased workload will be closely watched.
The ability of the Cardinals’ coaching staff to adapt their game plan to account for these absences will be crucial as they attempt to turn their season around. Every team faces injury adversity, but how a team responds often defines its season.
Outlook for the Cardinals’ Running Game
Without Jeremiyah Love, the Cardinals’ running game will lean heavily on Tyler Allgeier. Allgeier’s 3.4 yards per carry this season indicates he’s a solid, if not explosive, option. His pass-catching abilities, with 12 receptions for 44 yards, add another dimension, but his overall impact might not fully replicate Love’s potential as a dual-threat back.
The challenge against a formidable Los Angeles Rams defensive line, particularly with Aaron Donald, will test the Cardinals’ offensive line and Allgeier’s ability to create yards after contact. The team will need to explore creative play-calling from offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to generate movement on the ground. This game could provide a clearer picture of the Cardinals’ offensive identity when their star rookie isn’t available.
Sources like Ari Meirov, who first reported Love’s official ruling, play a crucial role in disseminating timely NFL news. Meirov, an NFL writer for The 33rd Team, is well-known for his up-to-the-minute updates and insights. His quick reporting allows fans and analysts to stay informed on critical player availability, such as this Jeremiyah Love Week 6 news.