Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett is set to undergo knee surgery and will be placed on injured reserve. This means the star defender will miss at least four games as he begins his recovery.
Garrett made his Rams debut against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, but his performance was limited because of his knee problem. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year played around 40 snaps but finished the game without a tackle or sack. It was an unusually quiet performance for one of the NFL’s most dangerous pass rushers.
Garrett’s earliest possible return could come in Week 6, when the Rams host the Arizona Cardinals on October 18. Until then, the team will have to manage without its biggest defensive star.
The Rams acquired Garrett in June through a trade with the Cleveland Browns. As part of the deal, Los Angeles sent Jared Verse and three draft picks to Cleveland. However, Garrett’s knee problems continued during the offseason. Swelling kept him out of most of training camp and limited his preparation for the new season.
After the loss to the 49ers, Garrett admitted that he did not perform at his usual level. He described the game as the “worst version” of himself and said he planned to recover and come back stronger.
Garrett did not reveal which knee required surgery. However, he had previously been seen wearing a sleeve on his left leg during practice. The long travel to Australia may also have made the swelling and discomfort worse.
The Rams will now be without Garrett for their next four games against the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills. His absence could create a major challenge for the team’s defensive unit.
Garrett normally attracts significant attention from opposing offensive lines because of his ability to pressure quarterbacks and stop running plays. Without him on the field, opposing teams may have more freedom to attack that side of the Rams’ defense.
The Rams also have another concern on defense, as defensive tackle Aaron Donald missed the Melbourne game and is expected to return home. The team will therefore need other defensive players to step up while Garrett recovers.
Players such as Byron Young and the Rams’ other edge rushers are expected to take on bigger responsibilities during Garrett’s absence. The team will need strong performances from them to keep the defense competitive.
Garrett’s injury is a major setback for the Rams, especially after the team made a major move to bring him in. He had set an NFL single-season sack record with 23 sacks for Cleveland last year, making his production extremely important to the Rams’ defensive plans.
The Rams will now focus on helping Garrett recover fully while finding ways to replace his impact on the field. The team will hope its defense can remain strong until the star pass rusher is ready to return.