Cardinals rookie Jeremiyah Love to miss debut

Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love will not make his professional debut in Thursday night’s Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers. Head coach Mike LaFleur said on August 5 that Love is among the Cardinals players who will not play in the preseason opener, according to reports from Bleacher Report and Yahoo Sports. The reports did not specify a reason for the decision. The Hall of Fame Game is scheduled for August 6 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. ### Who confirmed that Love will sit out? Mike LaFleur, speaking before practice on Wednesday, said Love would not suit up against Carolina, according to Bleacher Report’s account of the session. Yahoo Sports separately reported that LaFleur told reporters the rookie would not play on Thursday. (bleacherreport.com) Wednesday’s reports said Love’s debut will wait at least another week. Neither report gave a medical update or another formal explanation for the move. ### How significant is Love in Arizona’s plans? Jeremiyah Love entered camp as one of Arizona’s most watched rookies after being taken No. 3 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to ClutchPoints’ summary of LaFleur’s remarks. (bleacherreport.com) USA Today’s Cardinals depth-chart report said Love was listed as the team’s RB2 on Arizona’s first unofficial chart of the preseason. Arizona’s early depth-chart placement suggested Love was already in line for a meaningful role behind the starters as camp moved into preseason week. The team has not announced any change to that standing in the reports reviewed. ### What exactly is the game he is missing? The Pro Football Hall of Fame said the Cardinals and Panthers will open the NFL’s 107th season on Thursday, August 6, at 8 p.m. (clutchpoints.com) Eastern in Canton. NFL.com previously announced the same matchup as the league’s 2026 Hall of Fame Game. NFL.com said one of Carolina’s main storylines is quarterback Kenny Pickett’s start as he competes for the Panthers’ backup job. (usatoday.com) Love’s absence removes one of Arizona’s most prominent rookie storylines from the game. ### Did the reports say why he is not playing? (profootballhof.com) Bleacher Report’s item said only that Love’s professional debut would be delayed and did not give a reason. Yahoo Sports’ report on Arizona’s inactive group likewise focused on LaFleur’s announcement rather than an injury designation or roster move. (msn.com) That leaves Arizona’s next preseason appearance as the earliest likely window for Love’s first game action, based on LaFleur’s statement that the debut will wait at least another week. That is an inference from the timing described in the reports, not a separate team announcement. (bleacherreport.com) ### What comes next for Arizona’s backfield? Thursday’s opener will give Arizona its first live preseason look at the running back group without Love on the field. Reports on the Cardinals’ initial depth chart had placed him second at the position before LaFleur’s update. August 6 is the next concrete date on the schedule, with Arizona facing Carolina in Canton to begin its preseason slate. (bleacherreport.com) Love’s first appearance will come no earlier than the Cardinals’ next preseason week, based on LaFleur’s August 5 comments. (profootballhof.com) (usatoday.com)