Arizona Cardinals‘ 2026 third overall pick has dealt with the injury bug during his rookie campaign. Availability has become the defining storyline of his rookie season; his latest ankle injury is another frustrating chapter in a year that has tested his patience and resilience. 

Jeremiyah Love was placed on injured reserve because of a high-ankle sprain that will sideline the rookie for four to five weeks, via ESPN and NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.

A familiar frustration for Arizona’s rising star

“It just stinks for him — he wants to be out there helping his teammates,” Arizona Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said Monday, via the Associated Press (h/t Fox Sports). “This is a guy who loves ball, who wants to contribute; he’s such a team guy, such a coachable guy, and a likable guy … For him, going through what he’s going through, it’s adversity for sure, but he’s going to be stronger because of this.”

Love returned from a two-game absence against the Dallas Cowboys this past Sunday after dealing with a lingering ankle injury. Love had nine carries for 23 yards before getting hurt against the Cowboys.

Tyler Allgeier rushed for a career-high 147 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns, one that included a 63-yard house call in the dramatic win over Dallas, during Love’s absence. 

Love walked off the field in the first half Sunday against the Cowboys and slammed his helmet to the ground on the sideline. 

His reaction felt telling; players don’t always know the severity of an injury in the moment, but they often know when something doesn’t feel right. Given that Love had already battled ankle injuries earlier this season, his frustration suggested he understood the likely implications before any formal diagnosis arrived. 

Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said that the ankle injury Love suffered Sunday is “new” and not related to the two previous ankle injuries. 

It’s his third different ankle injury he’s suffered since August. Performance Physical Therapist Dr. Ribu Thomas said made an interesting point on X. It isn’t just about the ankle healing. It’s also about “trusting [the ankle] to cut again.”