Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love has been cleared to play in Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys after missing the previous two games with a left ankle injury.
Head coach Mike LaFleur confirmed Friday that Love "will be good" to go, though he noted that no player is at 100% by November. Love said the injury first appeared in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks and worsened as he tried to play through it, leading the team to shut him down after Week 5 to regain his explosiveness.
LaFleur indicated Love will return to his full workload as the starting running back, with Tyler Allgeier as the backup and Bam Knight as the third-string option. In Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers, Love played 64% of snaps and handled 21 of 23 carries, numbers the Cardinals hope to approach again.
Love explained that the ankle injury significantly affected his ability to make cuts and stop quickly, which are crucial for his playing style.
Other injury updates
The Cardinals also expect wide receiver Michael Wilson (ribs) to play despite being limited in practice all week. Right tackle Elijah Wilkinson (knee) is cleared, while cornerback Max Melton and safety Andrew Wingard are set to return from knee injuries.
However, defensive tackle Walter Nolen and right guard Jon Gaines are out with ankle injuries. Center Hjalte Froholdt suffered a knee tweak on Thursday and his availability for Sunday is uncertain. If Froholdt cannot play, guard Hayden Conner would move to center, with Josh Fryar or Kingsley Eguakun likely filling in at right guard, further testing the offensive line depth.
