Bam Knight (concussion) DNP Wednesday

Knight’s absence due to a concussion leaves Tyler Allgeier alone atop the running back depth chart with rookie Jeremiyah Love on injured reserve. The matchup is far from ideal against the Seahawks on the road, but Allgeier appears to be in line for a legitimate workhorse role and can be started as a viable RB2. The Cardinals press forward with veteran journeyman Gardner Minshew under center following the trade of Jacoby Brissett this week.

LaFleur also ruled out OL Jon Gaines II (ankle) and OT Jayden Williams (knee). Knight has been a DNP all week after suffering a concussion in Week 8’s win over the Cowboys and will officially be sidelined for Week 9. His absence, along with Jeremiyah Love’s (ankle) could create a bell cow role for Tyler Allgeier, who totaled 191 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in last week’s win, while fourth-year vet Evan Hull could also work into the mix. Allgeier’s volume alone will put him in the RB2 conversation this week despite the tough matchup.

It appears it’ll be another DNP for Knight as he entered the concussion protocol following Sunday’s win over the Cowboys in Week 8. The 25-year-old tailback seems unlikely to be able to go in Week 9 against the Seahawks, but there should be further updates on Knight’s status soon.

Knight will need to clear protocol if he hopes to suit up in time to play in Week 9 against the Seahawks. The former UDFA has turned in a solid season thus far for the Cardinals, rushing for 28-168-0 while adding another six receptions for 43 additional yards. With Jeremiyah Love (ankle) likely to miss time, Knight could again find himself in a split with Tyler Allgeier when he returns. The Cardinals will likely need to address their running back room at some point in the week with Allgeier currently being the only healthy back on the roster.

She got word from Mike LaFleur that Knight would be out. Knight wasn’t officially given an injury declaration as of yet, but it was a fairly textbook shoulder-to-the-head that caused a fumble towards the waning moments of the second half. Knight had 18 total yards on three carries and one catch before leaving. We would be surprised, given how brutal the hit he took looked, if he were available for Week 9. This leaves Tyler Allgeier as the lone healthy back for the second half of this game.

Allgeier popped up on the injury report with a toe issue as rookie Jeremiyah Love (ankle) returned to practice in a limited fashion. Though we don’t know the severity of Allgeier’s injury, it may be worth keeping Bam Knight rostered despite Love’s return. If Allgeier cannot play in Week 8 against the Cowboys, Knight will get another week of fantasy viability.

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.

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.

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).