RADIO
No Clear Role for James Conner Upon His Return
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (foot) remains on injured reserve, and although he is making progress in his recovery from last year's foot injury, there is no timetable for his return to action. Conner has now been sidelined for more than a full year after suffering a season-ending injury in Week 3 of the 2025 campaign. In the time since he picked up the injury, the Cardinals have completely revamped their backfield by drafting Jeremiyah Love and signing Tyler Allgeier. Love has clearly been the more productive of the two backs, but both have played well enough to stay in their respective roles, and Allgeier even has some matchup-dependent RB3/flex appeal. As a result, if Conner is activated at any point this season, it's hard to envision him any higher than third on the depth chart. As long as Love and Allgeier are healthy, Conner is an unappealing option in both redraft and dynasty formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Trey Benson Faces Extremely Difficult Path to Production Upon Return
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) is already set to miss the entire 2026 season, and he will likely have trouble carving out a meaningful role when he returns to action next year. This Cardinals team features a very impressive one-two punch of Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeir, and there's no real opportunity for a third running back to carve out fantasy value as long as those two backs are healthy. At this point, fantasy managers might be rooting for the Cardinals to release Benson from IR with an injury settlement. He has already missed a full year with a meniscus injury, so he's presumably somewhat close to being healthy. If a new opportunity presents itself with a different team, Benson could have some fantasy relevance, depending on the landing spot. However, as long as he's a Cardinal and playing behind Love and Allgeier, he has no dynasty value. Managers should feel okay about dropping Benson at this point.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Allgeier A Potential Flex With A Good Matchup
Arizona Cardinals running back Tyler Allgeier experienced his most productive game of the new season in last week's loss to the New York Giants. In Week 4, Allgeier handled eight carries for 42 rushing yards, the most he has had in both categories since Week 1, and scored his first touchdown of the season. In Week 5, Allgeier could see an increased role if Arizona decides not to push Jeremiyah Love (ankle) too hard after the rookie dealt with discomfort in the same ankle where he suffered a high sprain during the preseason. It would be a great spot for Allgeier to see increased usage, as the Lions have one of the worst defenses in the league. Over four weeks, they are giving up 96.3 rushing yards and one touchdown per game to opposing running backs. Allgeier projects as an RB3 for Week 5, making him a justifiable start in a deep enough league or for a team plugging holes created by a bye week.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Jeremiyah Love In A Good Spot Against Detroit
Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) was limited in practice this week while managing ankle discomfort stemming from Week 4's loss to the New York Giants. Love got a full session in on Friday, though, and does not have a designation for the Cardinals' Week 5 meeting with the Detroit Lions. Love is in a good spot to take another step forward in the first weeks of his NFL career. Love has not scored since his debut in Week 1, but in the last two weeks he has compiled 164 yards from scrimmage on 35 carries and six receptions. Tyler Allgeier may siphon off more work in light of Love's ankle discomfort, but Love himself should be effective against a Lions defense that gave up 122 rushing yards and two touchdowns to Chuba Hubbard in Week 4. Love is projected as an RB2 and should be in starting lineups for Week 5.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Jeremiyah Love is Cleared to Play in Week 5
Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) has been cleared to suit up for Sunday's Week 5 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Love picked up an ankle injury during last week's loss to the New York Giants. The rookie back was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday before getting in a full practice session on Friday. It sounds like Love is back to full health in time for this weekend's home matchup versus Detroit. The rookie back has rushed for over 150 yards during each of the last two games. He'll be a strong RB2 against a shaky Lions defense this weekend.
Source: Theo Mackie
Source: Theo Mackie
Jeremiyah Love Practices Again on Thursday
Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) was on the practice field for the second straight day on Thursday, per Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. Love suffered an ankle injury during Arizona's Week 4 loss to the New York Giants, but it appears as though he's trending toward being active for his team's Week 5 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Across the first four games of his NFL career, Love has recorded 259 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 66 touches. The 21-year-old opened the year splitting work fairly evenly with veteran Cardinals back Tyler Allgeier, but Love has seen his usage ramped up over the last two weeks. Assuming he's able to play in Week 5, Love profiles as a borderline top-12 fantasy running back in a favorable matchup against the struggling Lions defense. UPDATE: Love was limited in practice again on Thursday.
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
Jeremiyah Love's Ankle Injury Not Expected to Impact him in Week 5
Arizona Cardinals rookie first-round running back Jeremiyah Love's ankle injury is not expected to impact him in the Week 5 contest at home against the visiting Detroit Lions, head coach Mike LaFleur told Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. It sounds like "maintenance" will continue to be the keyword for the young RB. The 21-year-old from Notre Dame is dealing with a new ankle issue, but it is reportedly unrelated to the high-ankle sprain that he dealt with in the preseason in late August. The Cardinals will continue to give Love breathers during the week, so it would not be a surprise if he is listed as a non-participant in the first practice on Wednesday. Love should be all systems go for this weekend's contest against Detroit, where he will continue to split backfield touches with Tyler Allgeier. The young and powerful RB had 14 carries for 63 yards on the ground and caught one pass for a loss of eight yards in the Week 4 loss to the New York Giants. Love now has 35 rushing attempts in the last two weeks after carrying the ball 20 times in his first two NFL games. Against New York in Week 5, Love should have high-end RB2 upside if he continues to be more involved. UPDATE: Love was limited in Wednesday's practice.
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
Tyler Allgeier Carries Waiver-Wire Appeal Amid Backfield Uncertainty
Across four games in 2026, Arizona Cardinals running back Tyler Allgeier has recorded 147 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 42 touches. After starting Arizona's first two games of the season, Allgeier has given way to Cardinals rookie back Jeremiyah Love (ankle). The third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Love clearly profiles as the future of the Arizona backfield. However, Love battled an ankle injury during the preseason, and it was revealed on Monday that he is battling renewed ankle discomfort. Allgeier has proven he can be productive when given the opportunity, as he rushed for over 1,000 yards as a rookie in 2022. If Love ends up missing time, Allgeier could work his way into must-start territory in a favorable Week 5 matchup against the awful Detroit Lions defense. With Love's health uncertain, fantasy managers may want to target Allgeier on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jeremiyah Love Dealing With New Ankle Injury
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur said on Monday that the ankle that was giving rookie first-round running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) discomfort in Sunday's loss to the New York Giants is not the same ankle from the sprain he suffered in the preseason, according to Dani Sureck of the team's official website. The 21-year-old suffered a high-ankle sprain back in August in the early portion of spring training and did not play again until the start of the 2026 regular season. Love limped off the field late in Sunday's game and never returned, finishing with 14 carries for 63 yards while catching his only target for a loss of eight yards. Love has been splitting backfield work with Tyler Allgeier to begin the season, with James Conner (foot) on Injured Reserve and Trey Benson (knee) done for the season. He has not scored since his NFL debut in the Week 1 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, and he has averaged 4.1 yards per carry for 223 rushing yards on his 55 attempts in his first four games. Love has added 11 receptions for 36 yards and another score through the air. We should have a better idea of his status for Week 5 once the Cardinals resume practicing on Wednesday. If Love should miss any time, Allgeier would essentially become a must-start in fantasy.
Source: AZCardinals.com - Dani Sureck
Source: AZCardinals.com - Dani Sureck
Jeremiyah Love Sees Workload Decrease in Sunday's Loss
Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love saw his workload decrease significantly in their loss to the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon. The former Notre Dame standout entered Week 4 riding a breakout performance in Week 3, but saw his fantasy value take a massive step back on Sunday afternoon. Last weekend, Love ran the ball a season-high 21 times for 90 yards, caught five passes for 19 yards and a touchdown. However, this weekend, Love took just 14 carries for 63 yards, while No. 2 back Tyler Allgeier logged eight carries and punched in a touchdown. While this result is a major disappointment for fantasy managers, Love should still be expected to remain the lead back in this offense, even if his workload is limited at times. He still projects to hold high-end RB2 upside in a Week 5 tilt against the Detroit Lions.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Tyler Allgeier Losing Out On Opportunities
Arizona Cardinals running back Tyler Allgeier spent the first two weeks of 2026 on the strong side of a 60-40 snap share with rookie Jeremiyah Love. In Week 3, Love took over as the team's lead back, and Allgeier saw 31 snaps to Love's 55. Allgeier finished last week's game with just two carries for -1 yard, and had four catches for 10 receiving yards. After Arizona selected Love with the third pick of the NFL draft, Allgeier was fated for another timeshare after escaping one in Atlanta. As with the Falcons, Allgeier now appears to be the second-stringer, sinking his fantasy value. Allgeier was still involved on goal-line snaps and in two-minute drills, but it is hard to see him providing consistent fantasy returns. He is projected as an RB4 for Arizona's Week 4 meeting with the New York Giants. Fantasy managers may want to hold him as a handcuff but should find another option to start this weekend.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Jeremiyah Love Looking To Build On Big Week 3
Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love handled 21 carries for 90 rushing yards and caught all five of his targets for 19 yards and a touchdown in Week 3. After spending Weeks 1 and 2 on the short side of a 60-40 split in snaps with Tyler Allgeier, Love was the unquestioned featured back last week, soaking up nearly two-thirds of the snaps in the backfield and out-touching Allgeier 26-6. Looking ahead to Sunday, Love will face a New York Giants defense that is allowing 4.7 yards per carry and 2.6 rushing yards before contact. Last week, Tony Pollard found 74 yards on 17 attempts against the Giants, and in Week 2, Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined for 24 carries and 164 rushing yards. Now in the driver's seat of the Cardinals' backfield, Love is projected as an RB1 with a favorable matchup in Week 4 and can be trusted in starting lineups.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
James Conner Progressing Without Return Timeline
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (foot) is progressing, but the team still isn't putting a date on his return. Head coach Mike LaFleur said Conner is doing well and reiterated that Arizona wants him back when he can perform at his normal level, not simply when he's able to get through a practice. Conner opened the season on injured reserve while continuing his recovery from the right foot injury that ended his 2025 season in Week 3. He can become eligible to practice next week after serving the required four-game absence, though the Cardinals have not said they will immediately open his 21-day window. That matters with Jeremiyah Love emerging as Arizona's lead back and Tyler Allgeier still involved. Conner is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2023 and 2024, but fantasy managers should treat him as a deeper-league IR stash until there is a clearer return date and role.
Source: Tyler Drake
Source: Tyler Drake
Jeremiyah Love Avoids Injury Report After Scare in Practice on Thursday
Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love was not listed on his team's Thursday injury report after reportedly being slow to get up after a rep in practice. While it's not entirely clear what happened to Love, it's obviously a positive sign for fantasy managers that the rookie appears to have avoided a serious injury. Across the first three games of his NFL career, the 21-year-old has recorded 204 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 51 touches. After splitting work with veteran Cardinals back Tyler Allgeier in the first two weeks of the season, Love emerged as the clear lead back in Week 3 by logging 109 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 26 touches against the San Francisco 49ers. Assuming he's healthy and ready to go, Love profiles as an RB1 option for fantasy managers in Week 4 against the New York Giants.
Source: Arizona Cardinals
Source: Arizona Cardinals
Jeremiyah Love Looks to Keep his Momentum
After playing more of a modest role in his first two NFL games, Arizona Cardinals rookie first-round running back Jeremiyah Love introduced himself as a lead running back in a 36-30 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3. Love started the game and played 55 out of 86 total offensive snaps (64%). He earned 21 carries for 90 yards (4.3 yards per carry) on the ground, while making his presence felt through the air with five receptions for 19 yards and a receiving touchdown. According to Pro Football Focus, 48 of Love's 90 yards came after contact. The No. 3 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft was clearly above veteran Tyler Allgeier in the pecking order in Week 3, which was not the case during the first two weeks. Arizona drafted Love early to be its workhorse back, and he now seems to be taking that role over. In total, through three games, Love has carried the ball 41 times for 160 yards (3.9 yards per carry) and a touchdown, while adding 10 receptions for 44 yards and an additional score. He has a Week 4 matchup against a New York Giants defense that is allowing 104.3 rushing yards per game. Love enters the week as RotoBaller's No. 8 running back.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
