The Arizona Cardinals are staring down a full-blown running back crisis heading into Week 1 against the Chargers, and it’s all thanks to veteran James Conner’s stubborn foot injury. This isn’t just a minor issue, folks; we’re talking about an injury that wiped out his entire 2025 season, and he’s barely seen the practice field all summer. Cardinals Head Coach Mike LaFleur isn’t even trying to hide the team’s uncertainty, flat-out stating they’re still “unsure” if Conner will be ready for the opener. Talk about a brutal start to the regular season, right?
The Backfield Is a Mess, and Progress Feels Like a Lie
Yeah, LaFleur threw out the typical coach-speak, telling Darren Urban of the team’s website that Conner is “making progress” and that “It’s starting to creep up.” But let’s be real: “making progress” is a long way from “cleared to play.” When a guy’s been out this long with a foot issue and still can’t get full practice reps in late August, that progress probably isn’t “creeping up” fast enough to make a difference by kickoff. This kind of uncertainty at such a critical position just before the season opener? It’s a nightmare scenario. You need your guys ready, locked in, and healthy, not watching from the sidelines with a question mark hanging over them.
Tyler Allgeier Is Stepping Up, Because Who Else Is Left?
And if Conner’s situation wasn’t chaotic enough, another running back, Jeremiyah Love, is also nursing an ankle injury. Worse, Love is officially out of practice this week, so he’s definitely not the answer. That means if both Conner and Love are out for that Week 1 showdown against the Chargers, the Cardinals are going to be leaning hard on Tyler Allgeier to be their lead back. Think about that for a second. Allgeier, suddenly thrust into the primary role because the top two guys are hurt. It screams “patchwork solution” and makes you wonder just how deep the Cardinals’ backfield depth really is, or isn’t.
So, the Cardinals are kicking off their regular season against the Chargers with a giant question mark hanging over their entire running game. Will Conner somehow defy the odds and suit up, or is Allgeier about to get a crash course in being an NFL starter? Either way, it’s going to be a bumpy ride for them right out of the gate, and every snap will be under a microscope.
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.
Leave a Reply