Myles Garrett is headed to IR. What does that mean for Rams?
The Rams front seven should have the depth to absorb the absence of Garrett, but a woeful Week 1 showing offers little inspiration moving forward.
The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2026 season with high expectations for their defense, but a 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in their season opener in Australia highlighted the team's struggles on the defensive line. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett is set to miss at least the next four weeks and will be placed on injured reserve due to surgery on his left knee, according to multiple reports.
Garrett had difficulty making an impact in his debut, recording no tackles, sacks, or QB hits. After the game, he admitted his knee was still painful and he wasn't at 100%. This performance was far from the dominant unit that inspired Aaron Donald to return from retirement. The rest of the defensive front struggled as well, only managing to hit Brock Purdy twice and failing to record a sack.
The Rams may be dealing with jetlag from their pre-game travel, but the overall poor showing has raised concerns. The team will have to wait until Week 6 to see their front seven at full strength, with Donald set to make his debut later. However, the initial performance in Week 1 did not inspire confidence, and the dream pairing of Garrett and Donald is now delayed until October.
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- Rams DE Myles Garrett's season hit with major obstacle sports.yahoo.com
