Jeremiyah Love NFL Debut
Arizona Cardinals Rookie Running Back Jeremiyah Love Expected To Debut Against Chargers
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Key Points
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Love’s preseason debut before his injury produced 58 rushing yards on 11 carries and 14 receiving yards. He was injured in that Aug. 13 game after recording 14 total touches and then missed Arizona’s final two exhibition games.
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Arizona’s rushing attack ranked 27th last season in explosive-run rate and EPA per designed rush, and no Cardinals player surpassed 350 rushing yards; Michael Carter led the team with only 333 yards.
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Love’s college production was a major reason Arizona selected him third overall: he ran for 2,497 yards over his final two seasons at Notre Dame, with 35 rushing touchdowns during that span—the most in the nation.
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Running backs coach Matt Merritt said Love had improved his decisiveness and understanding of the run game, emphasizing that NFL holes open and close faster because of the speed of the competition: “Being grounded in the run game, being decisive in the run game at this level is so much more crucial.”
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Arizona elevated cornerback Kalen King to help cover for its injured defensive backs but did not elevate practice-squad running back Evan Hull, another indication that the team expected Love to play. With Isaiah Adams out, Jon Gaines II was slated to start at guard and Hayden Conner was the top reserve.
Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love will make his NFL debut against the Los Angeles Chargers after recovering from a high-ankle sprain. The third overall pick practiced all week on a limited basis and was cleared to play despite entering the game listed as questionable CardswireUSAToday.
Love's return addresses a major weakness for Arizona. The Cardinals ranked 27th in explosive-run rate last season, and no player surpassed 350 rushing yards — Michael Carter led with just 333 CBSSports. Love ran for 2,497 yards and 35 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Notre Dame, the most in the nation Heavy.
Love's Preseason Preview and Recovery
Love showed promise before his injury struck in preseason Week 1 on August 13. He ran for 58 yards on 11 carries and added 14 receiving yards across 14 total touches AZCardinals. He then sat out Arizona's final two exhibition games to heal.
The team's decision to activate Love without elevating practice-squad running back Evan Hull signals confidence in his availability. Running backs Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight remain as backups, but Love figures to see significant snaps CardswireUSAToday.
Cardinals Coach Emphasizes Speed and Decisiveness
Running backs coach Matt Merritt stressed that Love must adapt to NFL tempo. NFL run lanes open and close much faster than college. Merritt said: "Being grounded in the run game, being decisive in the run game at this level is so much more crucial." Love has improved both his decisiveness and run-game understanding CBSSports.
Defensive Depth Challenges Force Adjustments
Arizona will be without safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, cornerback Garrett Williams, and guard Isaiah Adams. The team elevated cornerback Kalen King from the practice squad to address secondary needs CardswireUSAToday. Jon Gaines II will start at guard in Adams's place, with Hayden Conner as the backup Heavy.
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