Jeremiyah Love (ankle) ruled out vs. Broncos

Baker practiced in a limited capacity on Friday, and the veteran safety is no stranger to playing through injuries. The Cardinals ruled out DL Walter Nolen (ankle) and S Andrew Wingard (knee). Cardinals CB Garrett Williams (knee) has been cleared to play.

LaFleur simply does not believe that any one running back can handle a full-time role and remain healthy, so he employs a committee approach. Although Tyler Allgeier sits ahead of Knight on the depth chart, LaFleur said he views Allgeier as a reliable complementary running back who excels in pass protection and short-yardage. Knight will be the team’s lead rusher on early downs and can be started in the FLEX against the Broncos this week.

LaFleur really laid it all out there at today’s press conference, saying Allgeier “is always going to complement that next guy” when the starter is out. He adds that Allgeier is “extremely smart” and can be trusted in pass protection and short-yardage situations on third down. While Allgeier “can” do what the Cardinals need him to do on first and second down, LaFleur said Bam Knight will take “a lot” of that work with Jeremiyah Love (ankle) sidelined. LaFleur closed by saying he does not think any of these running backs can hold up in a full-time role over the course of the season. Allgeier handled a hefty 19 touches in this complementary role last week. He can be started as a high-volume FLEX with touchdown-based upside against the Broncos.

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.

Baker played through the groin injury in Week 6 but starts out this week not practicing due to both the groin injury and an illness. Also not practicing for the Cardinals defense were DL Walter Nolen (ankle), S Andrew Wingard (knee), and CB Garrett Williams (knee). Each player will likely need to practice in some capacity in order to play in 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.

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.