What Happened to Jeremiyah Love? NFL Fans React to Cardinals Rookie Sensation’s Injury in Preseason Debut

On August 13, 2026, in Paradise, Nevada, Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love made his preseason debut against the Las Vegas Raiders. The 21-year-old took 14 touches, including 11 carries for 58 yards and three receptions for 14 yards, showcasing his talent to the crowd. However, Love's impressive performance came at a price as he suffered an ankle injury.

In response to the news, Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur expressed confidence in Love's condition, stating that it was not serious. Dr. Jesse Morse, who assessed Love, agreed with LaFleur, suggesting that the rookie might have only experienced a mild lateral ankle sprain with no significant concerns about his outlook. Despite the positive prognosis, criticism quickly followed the injury.

One fan questioned the decision to use the $53 million rookie so heavily in his first NFL game, while another pointed out that Love's foot appeared to be twisted during the game. Some spectators were even more perplexed, expressing disbelief at the Cardinals' choice to keep playing Love in such a demanding situation. One individual couldn't believe the team's mentality for subjecting the star rookie to such risks during exhibition matches.

Regardless of the criticism, the Cardinals remain optimistic that Jeremiyah Love will recover quickly and return to action without significant setbacks. As Pro Football Network's Ian Cummings noted, Love has been deemed an "instant sensation," and the rookie will face competition from free-agent addition Tyler Allgeier for the starting running back position. With plenty of time to prove his worth, Love will need to stay healthy if he hopes to surpass Allgeier and become the Cardinals' primary running back.