Should you be cautious on Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love after his ankle injury?

Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love was quickly becoming one of the most exciting players to watch heading into the 2026 NFL season. Now, a high ankle sprain has created some uncertainty surrounding both his Week 1 availability and his fantasy football value.

Love suffered the injury during Arizona’s preseason matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders after an impressive performance in which he recorded 58 rushing yards on 11 carries and added three receptions. The Cardinals have since indicated that Love will miss time, with his availability for the regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers still uncertain.

Sports injury specialist Dr. Jesse Morse has also expressed concern about the injury and what it could mean for Love moving forward.

Morse pointed out that Love had been extremely healthy throughout his college career, making the sudden high ankle sprain particularly frustrating. He also emphasized that even a relatively mild Grade 1 high ankle sprain can affect a running back’s ability to aggressively cut and change direction.

According to Morse, a Grade 1 injury could potentially allow Love enough time to return for Week 1, but the recovery timeline is something fantasy football managers need to monitor closely.

And that’s where the concern begins.

A high ankle sprain is different from a typical ankle injury because it involves the ligaments connecting the tibia and fibula above the ankle joint. For a running back, that can be especially problematic because acceleration, cutting, planting and changing direction are critical parts of the position.

Love’s situation is particularly important because of the expectations surrounding him. The former Notre Dame star was selected No. 3 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft and entered Arizona with enormous expectations. He is expected to play a major role in the Cardinals’ offense.

The Cardinals are reportedly hopeful that Love can recover in time for the September 13 opener, but the team has already ruled him out for the remainder of the preseason.