Jeremiyah Love’s left ankle is acting up something fierce, enough to keep him completely off the practice field on Wednesday and seriously question if he’ll even suit up for Sunday’s showdown with the Rams. This ain’t just a bump or bruise, either.
Love’s Left Ankle Is The Real Problem Now
Forget that right ankle sprain he had in preseason, coach Mike LaFleur confirmed that one is healed up. The real head-scratcher is this left ankle, which has been bothering Love for the past two weeks. LaFleur didn’t mince words, stating simply, “We want to get this ankle right.” That’s a clear signal they’re ready to sideline their dude if it means getting him healthy long-term.
And LaFleur got real candid about it, too. He knows everyone’s listening, but he made it clear: Love is a tough dude, no doubt. But anyone who watches him knows how aggressive he is with his cuts. You gotta imagine what it’s like for an NFL running back to plant their foot and cut hard when their ankle is screaming. That kind of play just isn’t sustainable when you’re hobbled. LaFleur basically said, as much as Love wants to battle it out, the smart move is to give it some rest and see how it goes through the week. It explains why Love only managed 12 rushes for a paltry 22 yards on 36 of 73 snaps in the loss to the Lions last Sunday. He’s clearly not 100%.
Injury Report Growing Ugly Fast
Love isn’t the only one battling it, either. The injury report coming out of Wednesday’s practice looked rough. Safeties Dewey Wingard with a knee issue and Wydett Williams Jr. dealing with a concussion were also complete no-shows at practice. Plus, safety Kitan Crawford, who’s in his 21-day return window, was limited with an ankle problem, and wide receiver/returner Devin Duvernay was also limited by his ribs.
This is a gut punch, no doubt about it. Losing Love, even for a game, when he’s clearly not effective, is one thing. But pairing that with multiple key defensive guys missing practice or being limited? Sunday’s game against the Rams is already looking like a battle, and these injuries are just piling on. Hopefully, a little rest for Love and some positive news on the other guys can turn things around by kickoff.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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