Head coach Matt LaFleur addressed the question of why Love hasn’t been a bigger part of the passing attack, citing an ankle injury that has limited his ability to run routes. “LaFleur acknowledged the big reason Jeremiyah Love hasn’t been a big part of the passing game has been the ankle and the inability to run routes,” reported Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. “Love will be used more as a receiver when he can make cuts and run routes.”
The Cardinals, dealing with the absence of Marvin Harrison Jr. after a recent trade, could have used Love’s receiving skills to bolster the offense.
Week 6 sidelining and health updates
Love was ruled out for Week 6 after trying to play through the ankle issue for several weeks. He did not practice all week, and the decision was made to give him time to recover fully rather than risking further setbacks. Coach LaFleur noted that Love’s cutting ability is one of his standout traits, and ensuring he can perform at his best requires giving him time to heal. When healthy, Love has shown the potential to contribute as a receiver, but his current limitations have affected his involvement in the passing game.
Stat line and performance context
The Notre Dame product has posted 245 rushing yards and one rushing score on 3.7 yards per carry. While part of the challenge includes pass protection and blocking in front, his limited practice time and the ankle issue have also hindered his ability to contribute as a receiver.
What to expect stylistically moving forward
With Love sidelined, Tyler Allgeier is expected to start at running back, with Bam Knight available to spell him. The move projects to emphasize the rushing game, particularly against a Rams defense that has surrendered an average of 128.4 rushing yards per game, ranking in the league’s lower tier for run defense. Allgeier should be a viable option for fantasy managers given anticipated workload and matchup potential, though game script remains a consideration if Los Angeles builds a sizable lead.
Overall, the Cardinals are hopeful that Love will recover enough to reintroduce his receiving game once he’s fully healthy, providing another dimensional weapon for the offense.
