GLENDALE – The third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft hasn’t had the arrival into the league many thought would happen. Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love’s ankle injury in his first preseason game has had the franchise overly cautious towards his usage. In his lone half in the preseason vs. the Las Vegas Raiders, Love had 14 touches on the ground and in the air. Through the first two games, that number is 25.
His 70 rushing yards and 25 passing yards isn’t the type of production scouts and himself expected to start NFL career. The All-American spoke to the media on Friday about this slow start, and how he is ready for the challenge of finding breaking out of it.
Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs against the Seattle Seahawks during a game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Sept. 20, 2026.
Love on the challenge of limited role:
In Week 2, Arizona found itself behind Seattle for nearly the entire second half, leading to less touches and more frequent passes to try and comeback. However, even in the Cardinals Week 1 win, head coach Mike LaFleur relied more in the air than on the ground. Running backs had 28 carries in the victory vs. the Los Angeles Chargers compared to 37 pass attempts.
With the amount of passing weapons the roster has, its not hard to figure why LaFleur would pass so often. And against a San Francisco 49ers team that has All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner down the middle, that could be the same philosophy heading into Week 3.
Sep 20, 2026; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) hands off to running back Jeremiyah Love (4) in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
There is something to say about Arizona’s lone touchdown drive in Week 2 having six of the team’s 17 total rushing attempts for the game. Despite the names in the 49ers front seven, San Francisco is 13th in rushing, compared to seventh in passing yards allowed. The best course of action for Arizona is on the ground taking on All-Pro and Pro Bowlers in the front seven head on.
Love seems hungry to attack those level of challengers, ready to bust out a monster game. While being safe regarding an injury is commendable, Love and the fans are hungry to be let out of the bubble wrap and play some football.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
