Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love goes to IR with high ankle sprain in another setback

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals placed running back Jeremiyah Love on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain in another setback during his rookie season, the team announced on Tuesday.

The No. 3 overall pick out of Notre Dame was expected to make an immediate impact with the Cardinals, but has battled problems with both ankles since the preseason. He returned from ankle issues to play against the Cowboys on Sunday, but had just 23 rushing yards on nine carries before leaving with a different ankle injury.

Love has run for 268 yards and a touchdown over six games this season, including a season-high 90 yards against the 49ers on Sept. 27. He'll miss at least the next four games before he's eligible to return.

First-year coach Mike LaFleur hinted on Monday that Love's injury might require an IR stint.

“It just stinks for him — he wants to be out there helping his teammates,” LaFleur said. “This is a guy who loves ball, who wants to contribute, he's such team guy, such a coachable guy and a likable guy. For him going through what he's going through, it's adversity for sure, but he's going to be stronger because of this.”

It's been a rough run of injuries for Arizona's rookie class. Second-round offensive lineman Chase Bisontis and fourth-round defensive lineman Kaleb Proctor will miss the entire season because of knee injuries while fifth-round receiver Reggie Virgil (back) and left tackle Jayden Williams (knee) are also dealing with issues.

The Cardinals also placed veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne on IR with an ankle injury that could keep him out the rest of the season. Bourne was the team's third-leading receiver with 263 yards through eight games.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love, left, is tackled by Dallas Cowboys defensive end Elijah Garcia, back left, Cowboys linebacker Shemar James and Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland, right, during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Shemar James (50) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett, left, hands the ball off to Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love walks off the field during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

TORONTO (AP) — Kawhi Leonard is getting closer to rejoining the Toronto Raptors' lineup.

The Raptors announced Tuesday that Leonard “has successfully completed treatment to address left knee swelling,” the first step in the process to get him back on the court again.

Leonard played in Toronto's first two games of the season, averaging 19.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. The Raptors have been without him since, going 2-3 in five contests.

He'll miss at least three more games while going through what the team called “the return to play” process in Toronto. Leonard's progress will be updated in a week, Raptors said, meaning the earliest he could play again would be Nov. 11 against Boston.

Leonard is a two-time NBA Finals MVP, including when he led the Raptors to their lone title in 2019. After getting traded back to Toronto this summer he agreed on a $115 million extension that, at his option, would run through the 2028-29 season.

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Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) prepares to shoot a 3-point basket as Washington Wizards center Deandre Ayton (8) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Washington, Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard, middle, looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim)