Chargers Must Be Ready To Face Jeremiyah Love

The Los Angeles Chargers have spent the week preparing for an Arizona Cardinals offense that could look slightly different depending on the availability of rookie running back Jeremiyah Love.

Now, the rookie running back intends to play.

Love, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is expected to make his NFL debut Sunday against the Bolts. He is still recovering from a high ankle sprain that he suffered during Arizona’s preseason matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders, but he has progressed enough to put himself in position to play.

That said, there is still plenty of uncertainty surrounding how much Love will actually be involved.

Arizona's unofficial depth chart lists veteran and free agent addition Tyler Allgeier ahead of Love, and the Cardinals and Mike LaFleur have indicated they don't intend to overload one running back with touches. Love also missed more than three weeks of practice while recovering from his ankle injury.

That doesn't mean the Chargers can afford to disregard him by any means.

If anything, Los Angeles should prepare for Love as if he will be playing a significant role.

Before suffering the injury, Love gave the Cardinals a glimpse of why they selected him so early. In his lone preseason appearance, he rushed for 58 yards on 11 carries and added three receptions for 14 yards. He showed the explosiveness that made him one of the most highly regarded running back prospects in the country.

The biggest challenge for Los Angeles may be preparing for both Love and Allgeier without knowing exactly how Arizona will divide the workload.

Allgeier is currently listed as the starter, but Love could quickly become a major part of the game plan if his ankle holds up. The Chargers can't simply assume Love will be eased into action and expect Arizona to follow a predictable script.

Instead, Los Angeles needs to stay disciplined.

Chris O'Leary's defense should be conscious of Love getting into space. Allowing the rookie to reach the second level with a head of steam could create problems, especially if Arizona finds ways to get him involved in the passing game.

It's also possible his injury could limit him. His workload could be smaller than what is expected of a tailback of his stature. Allgeier could still receive the majority of the carries.

But none of those possibilities should change how Los Angeles prepares.

The Chargers have to assume Love is capable of making an immediate impact.

If he is healthy enough to play, Arizona will have every reason to see what their prized rookie can do. And after missing most of the preseason, Love could be especially motivated to make his first regular season game count.