Myles Garrett’s Knee Surgery Adds to Rams’ Early Woes
He’ll miss at least four games on IR.
The Los Angeles Rams' season began on a disappointing note. Their star defensive player, Myles Garrett, who was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery and is likely to miss the first four games of the season. This setback comes at a critical time, as the Rams face challenging matchups, including games against the Giants, Broncos, and Eagles, followed by a home game against the Bills.
Garrett, who did not contribute to the team's initial loss to the 49ers, expressed his discontent during a postgame press conference. He admitted, "This was the worst version of myself," emphasizing his determination to recover and return to his previous form. The surgery was likely a preemptive measure to prevent further issues during the season.
The Rams entered the season as heavy favorites for the Super Bowl after a disappointing 2021 season and significant offseason additions, including cornerback Trent McDuffie and Garrett. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, also returned to the team mid-season after leaving due to a contract dispute.
However, the acquisition of Garrett came at a substantial cost for the Rams, as they traded Jared Verse and three draft choices, including a first-round pick next year, to the Browns. They also restructured Garrett's contract with the Browns to increase his salary for the current season to over $37 million. Donald joined the Rams on a one-year deal, expected to earn $20 million plus potential incentives.
The Rams' aggressive spending to secure these top talents resulted in a cap situation where their total payroll is projected to be $356.3 million, exceeding the NFL's cap of $301.2 million per team. Despite the early challenges, the Rams remain committed to their pursuit of a Super Bowl championship. However, the absence of Garrett and Donald for the first few weeks of the season, due to Garrett's recovery and Donald's initial non-attendance, has put additional pressure on the team, particularly their defense.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford's performance in the season opener was also a concern, as he threw an interception and was replaced by backup Stetson Bennett in the closing minutes. The future of the Rams' defense appears uncertain until Garrett and Donald are fully integrated back into the lineup, likely by mid-October.
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