Cardinals Lose 2 of Top 4 Draft Picks for Season as 2 More Miss Time Injured

Q: After a devastating wave of rookie injuries, who will the Cardinals desperately turn to for their Week 1 backfield?

The Cardinals would most likely have to lean on Tyler Allgeier for their Week 1 backfield, with James Conner the hoped-for complement if he is ready. That outlook follows Jeremiyah Love’s high ankle sprain, which has left his opener availability in doubt, and the broader health issues in Arizona’s running back room. Multiple reports describe Allgeier as the healthiest proven option and note that he was already expected to share meaningful work with Love before the injury. With Love now sidelined and Trey Benson also dealing with a knee issue, Allgeier is the clearest fallback. Conner remains a major variable. Coach Mike LaFleur has said the veteran is “progressing,” but Conner still has not returned to full 11-on-11 work as he recovers from last season’s foot/ankle injury. Arizona has stressed that this is about “return to performance,” not just getting him on the field, which suggests the team will not force him into a full workload unless he is truly ready. So if Week 1 arrived today, Arizona’s backfield would likely run through Allgeier, with Conner mixed in if medically cleared and effective enough to handle game action. If Conner cannot go or is limited, the Cardinals may have little choice but to give Allgeier the bulk of the carries and simplify the offense around him.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 17

Arizona’s top four 2026 draft picks are all injured, with second-round guard Chase Bisontis and fourth-rounder Kaleb Proctor already ruled out for the season.
Bisontis tore the MCL in his left knee in last week’s preseason game against Las Vegas and needs surgery, while Proctor tore a meniscus during June OTAs and was placed on preseason injured reserve.
First-round running back Jeremiyah Love is out indefinitely with a mild high ankle sprain suffered in the first preseason game, likely costing him the rest of the preseason and putting Week 1 in doubt.
Third-round quarterback Carson Beck has not practiced since injuring his ribs in the Hall of Fame game, leaving his status uncertain for this week and Saturday’s preseason game against Dallas.
The Cardinals made 7 picks in April’s draft, and they are the only NFL team with injuries to more than half of its draft class as a rebuild under new coach Mike LaFleur begins.