Los Angeles Rams defensive powerhouse Myles Garrett will miss at least the next four weeks of action after being placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury that will require surgical intervention. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, who has been a cornerstone of the Rams’ defensive scheme, first began to feel the limitations of the injury during the team’s training camp.
He later confirmed after Thursday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne that the problem was more restrictive than initially believed, prompting the decision to pursue surgery. The news broke on Sunday when Tom Pelissero of The Ringer reported that the Rams would be without their marquee defensive addition for an extended stretch.
Garrett, who was acquired from the Cleveland Browns in a high‑profile offseason trade, arrived in Los Angeles fresh off a historic 2025 season in which he shattered the all‑time single‑season sack record. His arrival was heralded as a signal that the Rams were intent on building a defense capable of challenging for a championship. Head coach Sean McVay addressed the situation in a press conference 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 went on to explain that the decision to place Garrett on injured reserve was made after a thorough assessment of the player’s condition following the Melbourne game.
"Honestly, after I talked with him after the game, after I’d spoken with you guys and just seeing just 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." Garrett’s injury comes at a pivotal moment for the Rams, whose defense has already been bolstered by the surprising return of Aaron Donald.
Donald, a multiple‑time Defensive Player of the Year, shocked the league by coming out of retirement to join forces with Garrett at the front line of the Rams’ defensive unit. However, Donald was not present in Melbourne for the Week One matchup, as he continues to work his way back into full football shape after his brief hiatus. The Rams will now have to navigate a challenging stretch of games without Garrett’s disruptive presence on the line. He is slated to miss the upcoming contests against the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and Buffalo Bills.
The earliest point at which he could be cleared to return would be the Week Six showdown with the Arizona Cardinals, assuming his recovery proceeds as hoped. Garrett’s arrival in Los Angeles was a key component of Sean McVay’s broader vision for a team that already boasts MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford. Together with a talented offensive corps, the Rams entered the 2026 season widely regarded as Super Bowl favorites.
The loss of Garrett’s pass‑rushing talent, however, forces the coaching staff to rely on other players—such as defensive end John Franklin‑Condon and linebacker Troy Dye—to fill the void and maintain pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Beyond the immediate on‑field implications, Garrett’s surgery underscores the physical toll that elite defensive play can exact. Knee injuries are common among defensive linemen who routinely engage in high‑impact collisions and rapid directional changes.
The surgical procedure aims to repair damaged cartilage and ligaments, with a rehabilitation program that typically includes a combination of physical therapy, strength conditioning, and gradual re‑introduction to football‑specific movements. While the Rams hope for a four‑week timeline, many medical professionals caution that full recovery for a player of Garrett’s caliber may extend beyond the minimum period, especially if the team wishes to ensure he returns at peak performance rather than risking re‑injury.
Fans can continue to follow the Rams’ season through various broadcast options. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports will provide live coverage of the 2026 NFL season, featuring every London game, the Thanksgiving classics, and comprehensive playoff action leading up to Super Bowl 61 in Los Angeles. For those seeking a more accessible video experience, the league recommends using the Chrome browser to optimize playback quality.
In summary, Myles Garrett’s knee injury and subsequent surgery represent a significant setback for the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive ambitions. While the team will miss his elite pass‑rushing capabilities for at least a month, the coaching staff remains optimistic that proper medical care and disciplined rehab will see him back on the field in time for the crucial mid‑season stretch. Until then, the Rams will lean on their depth, adjust their game plans, and continue to pursue a championship trajectory that began with high‑profile acquisitions and a roster built around veteran leadership and emerging talent.