Cardinals rule out rookie RB Jeremiyah Love for Hall of Fame Game

Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love will not play in Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers, coach Mike LaFleur said on Wednesday, according to NFL.com. The decision keeps Arizona’s top draft pick out of the league’s preseason opener on August 6 in Canton, Ohio. NFL.com reported Love is expected to get more work in the Cardinals’ three remaining preseason games. Arizona and Carolina are playing an extra exhibition because they were selected for the Hall of Fame Game. ### Who said Love would sit out Thursday’s game? Mike LaFleur told reporters ahead of practice on August 5 that Love would not suit up for the Hall of Fame Game, according to NFL.com and other reports. NFL.com identified Love as Arizona’s No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and said the rookie back would miss Thursday’s preseason opener against Carolina. (nfl.com) Yahoo Sports, citing Cardinals reporting, said the move was not presented as injury-related. The report said LaFleur confirmed the decision during Wednesday’s practice availability. ### Why would Arizona hold out its top rookie in the first preseason game? NFL.com reported the Cardinals expect Love to get more work in their remaining three preseason games after Thursday. (nfl.com) That points to a workload decision rather than a longer-term absence, based on the team’s stated plan as carried by league and local reports. (sports.yahoo.com) The Hall of Fame Game gives Arizona a fourth preseason contest. Yahoo Sports noted that most NFL teams play three preseason games, but the Cardinals and Panthers have four this year because of the Canton opener. ### What does this mean for Thursday night in Canton? (nfl.com) Thursday’s game still opens Arizona’s preseason, but it will do so without the rookie runner many fans expected to see first. NFL.com separately reported that quarterback Carson Beck is set to start for the Cardinals against the Panthers in the Hall of Fame Game. (uk.sports.yahoo.com) The matchup is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The Cardinals’ official schedule lists kickoff at 5:00 p.m. MST, with NBC carrying the game nationally. ### When should fans expect Love to make his preseason debut? Arizona’s official schedule shows three preseason games after the Hall of Fame Game: at the Las Vegas Raiders on August 13, at home against the Dallas Cowboys on August 22, and at the Green Bay Packers on August 28. (fantasy-nfl.com) NFL.com said Love is expected to get more work across those remaining exhibitions. (azcardinals.com) The Cardinals open the regular season on September 13 at the Los Angeles Chargers, according to the team schedule. Between now and then, Arizona has those three preseason dates to work Love into game action after holding him out of the Canton opener. (azcardinals.com) (nfl.com)