All signs are pointing up for Jeremiyah Love ahead of the Arizona Cardinals’ season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Love — who suffered a high-ankle sprain in preseason on Aug. 13 — participated in all portions of practice open to media, including a walkthrough session with the full offense. During receiving drills, he appeared to be cutting off his ankle without restrictions.
“I don’t exactly know what his listing is but, yeah, there’s no limit on our end,” head coach Mike LaFleur said when asked whether Love would be a full participant.
LaFleur did not yet fully commit to Love’s status against the Chargers, but he seemed optimistic about the rookie running back.
“The plan is to see how he looks today to see where we’re gonna go on Sunday,”
LaFleur said. “But we feel good.”
As for whether a healthy Love would be the Cardinals’ starting running back, that picture is murkier. During training camp, Love and veteran Tyler Allgeier had days as the team’s starting running back, generally alternating series. That might still be the plan as the season looms.
One indication to that end came on Tuesday, Sept. 8, when the Cardinals published their unofficial depth chart, with Allgeier listed as the RB1. Those depth charts, though, are produced by the public relations department — not the coaching staff.
And before practice on Wednesday, Sept. 9, LaFleur was asked whether that designation at running back means anything.
“You know the answer to that,” LaFleur said. “No.”
Starting offensive lineman out of practice
Two players were not present during the open portion of Cardinals’ practice: left guard Isaiah Adams and edge rusher Josh Sweat.
The concern on Sweat appears to be minimal, as he often takes veteran rest on Wednesdays. And, before practice, LaFleur said, “I don't see any restrictions for Sunday,” when asked about Sweat.
Adams, though, has not practiced for nearly three weeks, as he deals with a knee injury — putting his status for Week 1 into significant doubt.
With rookie guard Chase Bisontis on injured reserve due to a torn MCL, Jon Gaines has worked as the Cardinals’ starting right guard in recent weeks. Gaines started the final five games of last season — the first starts of his career — and mostly performed well with the opportunity.
One other player to keep an eye on is nickel cornerback Garrett Williams. Williams was activated from the physically unable to perform list on Aug. 20 after suffering a torn Achilles in December, but he is still working his way up to full participation.
“We're gonna take that all the way up into the weekend,” LaFleur said. “We want to make sure he feels as good as he can. There's a return to play and a return to performance, and you've gotta lean on the player for that second part.”
If Williams is not ready for the trip to Los Angeles, the Cardinals would turn to second-year cornerback Denzel Burke in the slot, with Will Johnson and Max Melton on the outside. If Williams does play, that second outside spot — across from Johnson — remains up for grabs between Melton and Burke.
“If we have to have the nickel pass coverage out there, what is the best way to go about it?” LaFleur said. “And that is what we all kind of thought. Keep Max and Will outside, move Denzel inside. Three guys that you have a lot of trust in, no matter where they're at.”
Johnson also missed a stretch of practices in recent weeks, as he dealt with a minor ankle injury. But he returned as a full participant on Sept. 9 and appears ready for Week 1.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cardinals deliver a newsworthy update on Jeremiyah Love ahead of Week 1
