The Arizona Cardinals will face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, and they will do so without their top rookie. Head coach Mike LaFleur told reporters before Friday's practice that running back Jeremiyah Love will not play on Sunday, as he needs to rest and let his lingering right ankle injury heal.
He did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, and presumably would not practice on Friday.
It will be the first game he misses this season.
LaFleur said there has not been any discussion of putting on injured reserve.
With Love out on Sunday, Tyler Allgeier will get the bulk of the work on offense, with Bam Knight surely getting some work. We should expect to see running back Evan Hull elevated from the practice on Saturday to be the third running back active for the game. The Cardinals also signed Jerome Ford to the practice squad this week.
Love, the third pick in the draft this year, has rushed for 245 yards and a touchdown, averaging only 3.7 yards per attempt. He also has 11 receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown.
He suffered a high ankle sprain in the preseason but that ankle healed nicely, and he was ready for the season opener. He tweaked his other ankle, and that injury has lingered. They have attempted to maintain and manage the injury, but it has gotten to the point where he needs to sit for at least a week.
The Cardinals and Rams play Sunday at SoFi Stadium at 4:05 p.m. ET (1:05 p.m. Arizona time).
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Jeremiyah Love injury: Arizona Cardinals rookie RB ruled out in Week 6