For most of training camp, Jeremiyah Love has worked behind Tyler Allgeier, taking the second snaps at running back during 11-on-11 drills.
Not on Sunday, Aug. 9.
In the Cardinals’ first practice since the Hall of Fame game, the roles flipped.
On each of the Cardinals’ first three offensive drives, Love took the first snaps with the starting offense — his most significant usage yet. Allgeier, though, did finish the day with seven carries to Love’s five, as the two continued to rotate, just in a different order than they had previously.
Love also appears to be involved more as a receiver. In Sunday’s practice, he saw four targets to Allgeier’s one. That included a go route as the Cardinals expand Love’s receiving repertoire.
It was the continuation
of a trend throughout camp, as Love seems to have a more versatile role in this offense than Allgeier does. The Cardinals regularly utilize him on motions and more complex routes, whereas Allgeier has a more static role.
Carson Beck still working with 3rd string
Carson Beck was the star of last week’s Hall of Fame game, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown. But when the Cardinals returned to practice on Sunday, Beck remained with the third-string offense for the majority of 11-on-11 work.
Beck did get one red zone possession with the second-string offense late in practice, rotating in for Gardner Minshew.
Overall, it was a mixed day for the rookie quarterback. He threw an ugly interception right at safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, but completed a well-placed deep ball to receiver Bryson Green, as well as a no-look touchdown to Green moments later.
Trey McBride’s big day
It’s easy to forget about Trey McBride during training camp. The Cardinals have uncertainty at quarterback, wide receiver and running back, so those are naturally the position battles that draw attention.
But Sunday was a reminder that McBride remains their most impactful player. On a day when the starting offense struggled — finding minimal success downfield — McBride was the only consistent weapon in the passing game.
He finished practice with seven catches on eight targets, including a crossing route for a touchdown late in the session. By contrast, Marvin Harrison Jr. — who has played well over the past two weeks — did not haul in any of his four targets.
Elijah Jones gets a chance with starters
Elijah Jones, a third-round pick back in 2024, has been a forgotten man in the Cardinals’ cornerback room.
Will Johnson appears to start at one outside spot, with either Max Melton or Denzel Burke across from him. Starling Thomas V has worked as the fourth cornerback as he returns from a torn ACL. Sean Murphy-Bunting is the starter in the slot for now, with Garrett Williams likely to assume that role at some point early this season, when he returns from a torn Achilles.
So where does that leave Jones? On the outside of the roster looking in, it’s easy to assume.
But perhaps that assumption is premature. On Sunday, Jones saw a full drive with the first-team defense — the first time this summer that he has earned that responsibility. And he performed well in the role, with both passes thrown his way falling incomplete.
Penalties continue for offense
When asked to explain the Cardinals’ three false starts in the Hall of Fame game, head coach Mike LaFleur offered up a brief response: “It’s all focus.”
Those struggles continued on Sunday, though, with multiple pre-snap penalties during 11-on-11 work. That’s been a trend during training camp, which likely comes as a concern to LaFleur, who has emphasized the importance of the Cardinals having the most buttoned-up pre-snap operation in the NFL.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cardinals camp observations. Jeremiyah Love’s role expands
