Cards ‘still hopeful’ Love (ankle) plays Week 1

We were hoping to see Love practice in full after taking two weeks off. While today’s limited session puts him on track to play in Week 8 against the Cowboys, Bam Knight and Tyler Allgeier are still worth stashing on benches, just in case. The Cardinals are finally handling Love’s recovery patiently, after giving him far too many touches early in the preseason.

This news comes from head coach Mike LaFleur, who spoke with the media on Monday. After missing the last two games with a nagging ankle issue, Love’s return to the field in any capacity suggests he could have a chance to suit up in Week 8 against the Cowboys. Love’s ankle injury slowed his production through the first five weeks of the season, with the rookie saying at one point that he would “probably just hinder the team” if he had to play through it. Love’s status will be one to watch throughout the week, but even if he’s active, he’ll likely be forced to split touches with either Tyler Allgeier or Bam Knight, who has been solid in Love’s absence.

Things have been trending in this direction all week, but LaFleur officially confirmed on Friday that Love will miss a second straight game. Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight will likely split duties again in Week 7 after seeing a near 50/50 split in the touch distribution last week, with Allgeier’s 19 touches narrowly edging out Knight’s 17. Both Allgeier and Knight are fringe RB2/RB3 plays against a stout Broncos defense. In addition to Love the Cardinals also ruled out DT Walter Nolen III (ankle), S Andrew Wiggins (ankle), and OG Jo Gaines II (ankle).

Love didn’t practice on Wednesday and Thursday after missing Week 6. It doesn’t sound like he will practice at all this week. Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight will split the backfield again this week. Allgeier out-carried Knight 18-15 last week, but Knight was far more effective, running for 80 yards in total. Allgeier posted just 38 yards. He still figures to be the lead runner this week, but Allgeier shine as a plug-and-play RB2 is waning headed into Week 7.

Love starts out not practicing for the second straight week due to an ankle injury. He missed Week 6 against the Rams and a DNP Wednesday puts him on the wrong side of questionable to play in Week 7 against the Broncos. Love will need to practice in some capacity to have a chance of playing this week, but Tyler Allgeier is back in the RB2 range if Love cannot go.

Tyler Allgeier is a volume-based RB2 with Love sidelined this week. The Cardinals are smartly giving Love time off to heal his injured ankles. Beck will again serve as the Cardinals’ emergency third quarterback. Wingard (knee) and his direct backup Williams (concussion) are both out, but Budda Baker (groin) and EDGE Zaven Collins (hip) are active.

The Cardinals officially ruled Love out for this Sunday’s game against the Rams after he was. DNP in practice all week. Head coach Matt LaFleur said Love is not considered a candidate to be placed on injured reserve at this time, but the fact that he even has to mention that is cause for some concern that Love could be looking at a multi-week absence. LaFleur also added that Love’s lack of involvement in the passing game is due to his inability to run routes on his injured ankle. His practice status will be one to monitor next week when the Cardinals begin preparing for the Broncos. Tyler Allgeier should be in line for a busy day against the Rams and will be a volume-based RB2 play.

Tyler Allgeier should be rostered in 10-team leagues. The Cardinals have downplayed Love’s ankle issues, but two missed practices are not a good sign. He still has a chance to suit up in Week 6 against the Rams, but he is currently on the wrong side of questionable.

The Cardinals are listing Love with just one ankle injury, but recent reports, including quotes from LaFleur, have said that Love is still managing the high-ankle sprain he suffered in the preseason and may have injured the other ankle in Week 4. LaFleur said the current plan is to “give it a little bit of rest and see as the week goes on.” Tyler Allgeier offers little standalone value, but he should be rostered in 12-team leagues.

Asked about Love’s lack of route running — he has a 29 percent route participation rate on the season — LaFleur said the Cardinals’ pass blocking struggles often prevent Love from functioning as a pass catcher. “I wasn’t too confident in terms of getting into some of those ‘scat’ protections and stuff like that and five-man protections,” LaFleur said. “We wanted to have that extra body in there. There were a couple of times where I wanted to get him on some choice routes and stuff like that, but like I said I didn’t feel confident that we were going to be able to execute at the level that we needed to. But it is a good question.” Love, who has 13 targets and has been targeted on 21 percent of his pass routes, would need much more pass game involvement if he were to operate as an RB1 in fantasy leagues this season.