Myles Garrett, the Los Angeles Rams' premier defensive end, will miss at least the next four weeks after being placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury that will require surgical intervention. The 2025 Defensive Player of the Year, who has been a cornerstone of the Rams' pass rush since his high‑profile trade from Cleveland, first felt the problem during training camp. He later confirmed after Thursday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne that the ailment was more limiting than initially believed.
The news broke on Sunday when veteran NFL reporter Tom Pelissero of The Ringer disclosed that Garrett’s injury would keep him sidelined for an extended stretch. The Rams now have to navigate the early part of the season without the player who shattered the single‑season sack record last year and who was expected to anchor a defense that many analysts have already tipped as a Super Bowl contender.
Garrett’s arrival in Los Angeles was part of a blockbuster offseason transaction that sent shockwaves through the league. In exchange for a package of draft picks and players, the Browns relinquished the future Hall of Famer, hoping to rebuild, while the Rams added a proven game‑changer to complement their already potent offensive weapons, including MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford. The move paid immediate dividends, as Garrett’s relentless motor and elite pass‑rushing technique helped the Rams dominate early opponents and quickly established him as the focal point of a defensive unit that also featured the surprising comeback of Aaron Donald. Donald, who shocked fans by unretiring to join forces with Garrett, missed the first week’s game in Melbourne while he worked back into full football shape.
His presence, combined with Garrett’s explosiveness, was expected to create a front‑seven that could pressure any quarterback in the league. However, Garrett’s knee issue has now forced the coaching staff to reassess their short‑term plans. Head coach Sean McVay addressed the media on Monday, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding Garrett’s recovery timeline.
"I don’t really have a timeline yet," McVay said. "It’s all contingent upon how things go today.
You feel good about it. But I think it’d be unfair to him—or really just without having the totality of all the information—to put any sort of timeline on it. We know that he’ll be available in four weeks potentially, so we’ll just take that a day at a time." McVay continued, reflecting on his conversation with Garrett after the loss to the 49ers. "Honestly, after I talked with him after the game, after I’d spoken with you guys and just seeing how he felt, you look at it, we thought it was something that we’d be able to kinda manage.
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, like, 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’ll always be able to learn from it." The Rams will now have to rely on their depth players and the remaining veterans to fill the void.
Defensive tackle John Randle, who has been a steady presence in the interior line, will likely see increased snaps, while edge rusher Leonard Floyd may be asked to take on a larger share of the pass‑rush duties. The secondary, led by cornerback Jalen Ramsey, will also need to step up, as the loss of a primary pressure source can give opposing quarterbacks more time to find open receivers. Garrett’s absence will be felt in the upcoming matchups against the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and Buffalo Bills.
The earliest he could be cleared to return is in Week Six, when the Rams face the Arizona Cardinals. Should he recover ahead of schedule, McVay indicated the team would be eager to reintegrate him as soon as medically permissible, but the priority remains his long‑term health and the avoidance of re‑injury. Beyond the immediate impact on the Rams’ defense, Garrett’s injury underscores the physical toll that elite pass rushers endure. The position demands repeated high‑impact collisions, and knee injuries are among the most common setbacks for players who rely on explosiveness and leverage.
Modern sports medicine has advanced considerably, offering procedures that can restore full function, but the rehabilitation process still requires patience and disciplined conditioning. For Rams fans, the news is disappointing but not unexpected. The team’s front office has built a roster with depth and flexibility, understanding that injuries are an inherent part of the sport.
The organization’s confidence remains high, given the talent surrounding Garrett and the strategic adjustments that coaching staff can implement. Meanwhile, the broader NFL community will be watching closely. Garrett’s performance last season set a new benchmark for sack totals, and his ability to return to form after surgery will be a storyline to follow throughout the remainder of the 2026 campaign. Analysts will debate whether the Rams can maintain their defensive dominance without their marquee edge rusher, and whether other teams will exploit the temporary weakness.
Fans can continue to follow the Rams’ journey through live broadcasts on Sky Sports, which will carry every London game, the Thanksgiving matchup, and the full slate of playoff action leading up to Super Bowl 61 in Los Angeles. As the season unfolds, the Rams will look to adapt, stay competitive, and ultimately bring Garrett back to the field as soon as it is safe for him to do so.