Jeremiyah Love high ankle sprain clouds Week 1

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love left his preseason debut on Thursday with a high ankle sprain, creating uncertainty around his availability for the start of the regular season. The injury came after Love logged 14 touches, cutting short what was an early opportunity for the team to evaluate him in live action.

Love is a 2026 third-round draft pick, and the setback arrives during a period when preseason snaps help shape roster and rotation choices. The Cardinals open the regular season on September 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers, and the timing of the injury now places that date in question.

Arizona weighs the timeline against the Sept. 13 opener

Arizona Cardinals

A high ankle sprain is commonly described in medical terms as a syndesmotic injury. The source material notes that this type of injury is typically linked to longer rehabilitation than many other ligament strains, which is why Love’s early-season status is not straightforward.

Reports attributed to Adam Schefter said team officials have set a four-week recovery target for Love. Even with that initial marker, the injury classification is associated with a wider range of outcomes, leaving open whether he can be ready for Week 1.

The source material also highlights a key practical issue for running backs: the position regularly involves rotational forces through the lower leg and ankle. That physical demand can complicate both recovery and return-to-play timing, increasing the chance that availability may remain a week-to-week decision as the opener approaches.

Cardinals add Montrell Stewart after workouts

With depth now a more immediate concern, the Cardinals signed running back Montrell Stewart on Saturday. Stewart joined the roster after a workout that also included Blake Watson and Tre Stewart, according to the source material.

The move broadens Arizona’s backfield options while the club waits for greater clarity on Love’s rehabilitation. It also reflects the typical preseason reality that injuries can quickly change evaluation priorities, especially at positions where teams want multiple playable options.

Arizona’s top of the depth chart remains intact, based on the information provided. Veteran James Conner and Tyler Allegier are expected to be the primary choices if Love does not meet the four-week recovery target and cannot suit up for the season opener.

For now, the central question is how Love responds to treatment and rehabilitation and whether that timeline aligns with September 13. With recovery windows for high ankle sprains often cited as four to eight weeks in the source material, Love’s return remains uncertain, and Arizona’s additional signing signals a practical step to protect depth without changing its leading options.