Myles Garrett, the Los Angeles Rams’ premier defensive talent, has been placed on injured reserve after doctors determined that his knee injury will require surgical intervention. As a result, the team expects him to miss at least the next four weeks of action, though the exact timeline will depend on how his recovery progresses.

The 2025 Defensive Player of the Year, who has become the face of the Rams’ defense since his high‑profile trade from Cleveland, first noticed the problem during the opening days of training camp. He later confirmed after the Rams’ Thursday night loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne that the discomfort was more limiting than initially believed. The injury, which was aggravated during the game, forced him to leave the field early and has now been deemed serious enough to warrant surgery.

Tom Pelissero of The Ringer broke the news on Sunday, noting that the Rams will now have to navigate a stretch of the schedule without their marquee pass‑rusher. Garrett’s arrival in Los Angeles was one of the most talked‑about moves of the offseason, especially after he shattered the single‑season sack record in 2025 while still with the Browns.

The trade not only gave the Rams a generational talent but also signaled their intent to compete for a Super Bowl immediately. Head coach Sean McVay addressed the situation at a press conference on Monday.

"I don’t really have a timeline yet," he said, emphasizing that the recovery will be dictated by Garrett’s progress and the medical staff’s assessment. "It’s all contingent upon how things go today. You feel good about it.

But I think it’d be unfair to him—or anyone—to put a hard deadline on it without all the information. We know he could be back in four weeks, so we’ll just take it day by day." McVay went on to describe his conversation with Garrett after the Melbourne game. He explained that the initial plan was to manage the injury conservatively, but the reality turned out to be more complex. "After I talked with him after the game, after I’d spoken with you guys and just seeing how he felt, we thought we could handle it.

That wasn’t necessarily the case. So having that evidence and being able to say, ‘What’s the next right thing?’ It was right after the game, just in terms of listening to how he felt, how he was able to impact the game, and even just what you guys saw with how limited we had to be with him.

Obviously, we thought we were doing the right thing, but in hindsight you always learn from it," McVay reflected. Garrett’s injury comes at a pivotal moment for the Rams. Earlier in the season, the team announced the surprising return of Aaron Donald, the former defensive stalwart who retired after a decorated career. Donald’s decision to un‑retire and join forces with Garrett created a defensive duo that many analysts described as potentially historic.

However, Donald missed the first week in Melbourne as he works to regain full football shape, meaning the Rams have been without both of their elite pass‑rushers for the opening stretch. The Rams’ schedule now includes matchups against the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and Buffalo Bills over the next four weeks—games in which Garrett’s presence will be sorely missed.

The earliest point at which he could be cleared to play again is the Week Six contest against the Arizona Cardinals, assuming his recovery proceeds without setbacks. Since Garrett’s arrival, Los Angeles has been led by MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford, and the team entered the 2026 season as one of the league’s favorite Super Bowl contenders. The loss of their defensive anchor tests the depth of the roster and places additional pressure on the coaching staff to adjust schemes and rely on younger players to step up. Garrett’s injury also raises broader questions about the physical toll of the modern NFL and the importance of managing player health.

Knee injuries, especially for players who rely on explosiveness and leverage to beat offensive linemen, can be career‑altering if not treated properly. The Rams’ medical team will likely employ a combination of surgical repair, rehabilitation protocols, and possibly innovative treatments to ensure a full and sustainable return. Fans eager to follow the Rams’ progress can tune in to Sky Sports, which will broadcast the 2026 NFL season live, including every London game, the Thanksgiving fixtures, and the entire playoff run leading up to Super Bowl 61 in Los Angeles.

While the team navigates this setback, the hope remains that Garrett will recover swiftly, rejoin the defense, and help Los Angeles chase another championship banner.