Jeremiyah Love (ankle) not expected to play vs DEN

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.

The good news is that this shouldn’t exactly be expected to sideline Knight going forward after his 98-total yard effort against the Rams. Knight’s fantasy value is tenuous despite the big game, as he was outsnapped by Tyler Allgeier and Jeremiyah Love (ankle) could be back next week. But he did outplay Allgeier in Week 6.

Allgeier got the start, but looked slow compared to his backfield mate Bam Knight today. It was an extremely disappointing showing and the Cardinals seemingly leaned on Knight more and more as the game progressed. Allgeier still totaled 19 touches, including 18 carries, but he was routinely stopped around the line of scrimmage and critically ceded red zone snaps to Knight. Knight may have injured his right hand or wrist late in the game, but he continued playing. With Jerermiyah Love (ankle) currently sidelined, Allgeier could end up being the lead back again next week against the Broncos. Keep an eye on the Cardinals’ injury report this week.

Knight seemingly earned more work as the game progressed by simply outplaying Allgeier, the team’s Week 6 starter. After a few unproductive Allgeier runs, the Cardinals got Knight involved as a receiver on the second drive, his first catch coming via a slant route and generating a first down. They gave him three carries on the third drive, culminating in a 31-yarder on a well-blocked run to the left. Allgeier subbed in for the red zone sequence on that drive, but the coaching staff gave Knight three red zone touches on the fifth drive, compared to just one for Allgeier. They gave Knight two more red zone touches on the seventh drive. Blocking failed him on the second one, and it may have resulted in a right hand or wrist injury. Knight trotted over to the medical staff after the play, and a trainer could be seen stabilizing Knight’s wrist while putting him through sideline testing. Knight did return to the game on the next drive, but this is worth keeping an eye on. If Jeremiyah Love (ankle) misses the Cardinals’ Week 7 game against the Broncos, and Knight’s apparent injury is a non-issue, Knight could end up getting the start next week. Stay tuned.

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.

Allgeier was a non-factor, even with the Cardinals pulling Jeremiyah Love in the fourth quarter. Allgeier did not log a carry in the first quarter. He is nothing more than a bench stash moving forward. The Cardinals face the Rams in Week 6.