The Los Angeles Rams are set to lose a key player for at least the next month, as star edge rusher Myles Garrett will be placed on injured reserve. The move comes after Garrett reportedly rarely practiced during training camp due to a knee issue, and it was evident in the season opener that he wasn't quite himself. Garrett is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery to address the injury that has limited his play.
Being placed on injured reserve means Garrett will miss at least the next four games for the Rams. The earliest he could potentially return to the field is October 18, when the team is slated to face the Arizona Cardinals. This timeline leaves the Rams with a challenging stretch of games ahead, having already started the season with a loss.
In their Week 1 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Garrett played 40 of 65 total defensive snaps. His availability was visibly constrained by the injury, and his performance did not reach the high bar expected of last year's Defensive Player of the Year. The team now faces the task of navigating several critical matchups without one of their most impactful defensive talents.
Fortunately for the Rams, there's a potential silver lining in the form of Aaron Donald. The possibility of Donald returning could help offset the absence of Garrett, offering the team an opportunity to swap one Hall of Fame talent for another. However, the Rams are not expected to rush Donald back into action too quickly, and it may take some time before he is fully ready to return to play.
Garrett's absence also opens up more playing time for other players, particularly second-year EDGE Josaiah Stewart. Stewart made an impression in Week 1 against the 49ers, earning the third-highest Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade on the defense. He ranked behind only Trent McDuffie and Quentin Lake in that regard, suggesting he could be a crucial contributor during this period.
On a longer-term strategic level, Garrett's time away from the field could provide the Rams with valuable insight regarding Byron Young. Young is currently in a contract year and is set to become a free agent at the season's conclusion. Given the anticipated price tag for Young and the team's existing commitment to Garrett, the Rams might not be inclined towards a long-term deal with Young. An extended look at Stewart in a more prominent role could offer clarity on whether he could serve as a full-time starter and a potential replacement option for Young in the future.
The Rams entered this season battling sky-high expectations, and a Week 1 loss already placed them in a challenging position. While opening week results can sometimes be misleading, Garrett's injury and upcoming absence highlight a very real hurdle for the team. Beyond managing defensive rotations, the team also faces pressure for Matthew Stafford to bounce back from his own performance. A continued regression from their quarterback could prove to be an insurmountable obstacle for the team's aspirations of a turnaround. Myles Garrett’s absence, therefore, might not just be about missing a few games; it could be seen as symbolic of how quickly this season has veered off track.
