Jeremiyah Love, the Arizona Cardinals’ No. 3 overall draft pick this year, won’t be making his professional debut just yet. Head coach Mike LaFleur just announced Love is out for the Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night. Talk about a gut punch for fans expecting to see their top pick hit the field!
The Cardinals Are Playing It Safe, But What About the QBs?
It looks like the Cardinals are playing it super safe, holding out most, if not all, of their regular-season starters. That means Love, drafted as the first running back in the top three since Saquon Barkley went second back in 2018, will have to wait at least another week to show what he’s got. While that makes sense for veterans, it is a bit of a head-scratcher for a rookie phenom. Over on the quarterback front, Carson Beck, a third-round pick from this year’s draft, is getting the starting nod for Arizona. He was the third QB selected overall, after Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson. Both Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew are also being held out of the game. On the Panthers’ side, they are rolling with their backup quarterback, Kenny Pickett, to start.
Love’s Depth Chart Spot and the RB Room Drama
Even with his high draft pedigree, Love was listed as the No. 2 back on Arizona’s first preseason depth chart, sitting behind Tyler Allgeier. LaFleur kept quiet about who would start at running back for Thursday’s game, but with Allgeier as the current No. 1, and guys like James Conner, Trey Benson, Bam Knight, Evan Hill, and Corey Kiner also in the mix, it’s a crowded room. Benson, by the way, was dealing with a knee injury that kept him out early this week, but he did return to practice on Tuesday. Even with the initial depth chart and this HOF game benching, it’s pretty clear Love is gonna get a ton of touches in his rookie season. You don’t draft a guy No. 3 overall to keep him on the sideline.
The Cardinals have an extra preseason game this year because they are playing in the Hall of Fame Game. You can catch them next on August 13, facing off against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. That will be the first real chance to see Love in action, and you know everyone will be watching to see if he lives up to that sky-high draft slot.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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