Carlo Allegri via Reuters
An NFL team is facing an injury crisis with all four of their top picks in the 2026 Draft out of action ahead of the start of the new season.
Most notably, Jeremiyah Love, one of the top picks from Class of 2026, has been sidelined after suffering an injury during a pre-season encounter. Per Yahoo Sports, he is facing an 'extended absence'.
The new running back for the Arizona Cardinals was the third pick in the Draft, joining the NFC West franchise after an impressive final year at Notre Dame college. He penned a four-year contract worth $53m shortly after being selected.
Love's 2025 season saw him register 21 touchdowns (18 rushing; three receiving) and rush for over 1300 yards in 12 games. His performances saw him get handed the Doak Walker Award, which recognizes the best running back each season in college football.
Top Draft Pick's Injury Explored
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Love went down hurt in the Cardinals' second and most recent pre-season game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The rookie rushed for 58 yards on 11 carries last Thursday before he suffered a worrying ankle problem.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapaport, the player is dealing with a high ankle sprain and is now fighting to be back for the Cardinals' Week 1 encounter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on September 13.
The update effectively rules Love out from competing in his team's remaining two pre-season games this month against the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, respectively.
Love's injury update is a blow for the Cardinals as it is unlikely that their top prospect is in full rhythm ahead of the new season.
Playing your starters in pre-season always comes at a risk because an injury can occur from nowhere, and Arizona have found that out the hard way with their new running-back's situation.
Should Love not make it back for the Chargers game, Arizona are likely to turn to new running back, Tyler Allgeier, who has joined Mike LaFleur's team after a four-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons. In his role as back-up to Bijan Robinson last season, Allgeier registered eight rushing touchdowns.
NFL Team Hit By Multiple Injuries to Rookie Class
Bam Knight is another running back option that Arizona could turn to if required. The 25-year-old joined the NFC West team for the 2025 season and became the franchise's first-choice running back, registering four touchdowns before suffering a season-ending ankle injury against the Houston Texans last December.
Love is not the only Cardinals rookie to have gone down in pre-season, as second-round guard pick Chase Bisontis is set to miss the entirety of his debut NFL season after suffering a torn MCL against the Raiders.
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Defensive tackle and fourth-round pick Kaleb Proctor will also miss the 2026 season after tearing his meniscus earlier this summer during OTA's with the Cardinals. Elsewhere, quarterback Carson Beck injured his ribs against the Carolina Panthers during the Hall of Fame game and has not practiced since.
The Cardinals will be hoping Love can eventually change their fortunes for the better in the 2026 season, as the franchise was only able to record three wins last season, the joint-lowest in the NFL. Hence, it will be vital that the franchise does not place too much reliance on the 21-year-old and does not rush him back from injury, as this may only halt his promising trajectory.