LOS ANGELES – After spending time during training camp trying to manage Myles Garrett’s knee injury, it was the Los Angeles Rams’ dismal season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers that made it evident to everyone that the star defensive end needed surgery.
Garrett did not record a tackle or sack while playing 61.5% of the defensive snaps in the Rams’ 27-7 defeat in Melbourne, Australia. Coach Sean McVay stated on Monday that conversations with Garrett immediately following the game clarified that an operation was necessary for Garrett to return to form. The Rams could receive reinforcements soon on the defensive line, though the timeline for Aaron Donald’s return remains uncertain.
“We had been aware of this, thought it (Garrett’s knee) was something he would be able to work through,” McVay explained. “Obviously, being out there and playing in a real game, you learn like, ‘Hey, maybe that’s not the case. So let’s change course with that.’”
While McVay did not provide an updated timeline for Garrett’s recovery beyond the four-game minimum associated with being placed on injured reserve, he emphasized the necessity of the procedure.
Garrett had missed a significant portion of training camp due to what had initially been described as swelling in his knee. The Rams acquired Garrett, the reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year, from the Cleveland Browns in a blockbuster trade earlier this year. Knowing Garrett’s recent history of carefully managed workloads, McVay had accepted the strategy of limiting practice time for veteran players to enhance their game-day performance.
“The reality is our job is to put our players and our team in positions to have successful outcomes. Thought we would take an approach where he’d be feeling good enough to contribute positively and be the player that he’s capable of. That wasn’t the case, and so the next right thing for us is to be able to get this thing fixed,” McVay stated.
Prior to the game, Garrett had expressed confidence in his physical readiness, stating, “I think I can go out there and do what I know I can do.” He also set high expectations for himself in joining the Rams, indicating his ambitions to win the Super Bowl and to repeat as AP Defensive Player of the Year.
Garrett’s acquisition has elevated the Rams’ status as a super team, particularly as it played a role in persuading Donald to come out of retirement last month.
McVay clarified that Garrett’s absence would not influence the timeline for Donald’s return. The three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year did not accompany the team to Australia as he continues to work on getting back into playing shape after two years away from football. McVay remarked that it is still too early to determine if Donald will participate in the Rams’ home opener against the New York Giants next Monday.
“He’s going to continue to work his process, and we’ll see what that looks like,” McVay concluded.
___
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
