Tyler Allgeier (toe) DNP Wednesday

Allgeier saw a steady progression in practice throughout the week, starting off with a “DNP” before upgrading in each subsequent session, culminating in a full practice Friday. He will be available to form a likely three-headed timeshare with Jeremiyah Love and Bam Knight against the Cowboys and likely does not warrant fantasy consideration.

Allgeier was able to get a bump up after a DNP for Wednesday. It appears to just be a case of rest for the 26-year-old, but fantasy managers who will consider Allgeier for Week 8 against the Cowboys if Jeremiyah Love (ankle) can’t go — Love was also limited Thursday — should keep an eye on Friday’s designation.

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.

Allgeier only saw one more carry than Bam Knight. Both backs caught three passes, but Knight was the recipient of five targets. Through two Jeremiyah Love absences, Allgeier has 26 carries for 57 yards. He’s barely playing ahead of Knight and has been the far less efficient member of the backfield. Knight has 128 yards on four fewer attempts. Even if Love is out again next week, Allgeier will barely crack the RB3 ranks versus Dallas.

Knight only saw one fewer carry than Tyler Allgeier. His 29-yard scamper in the first quarter alone was enough to best Allgeier’s mark of 19 yards. Knight had a chance to get in the end zone on a strike from Jacoby Brissett, but he dropped the would-be touchdown and Arizona had to settle for a field goal. It’s unclear if Jeremiyah Love will be back next week. If he isn’t, Knight will once again operate as the 1B in this backfield, putting him in the RB3/4 mix versus Dallas.

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.

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.

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.