The Los Angeles Rams enter Week 9 with a 4-4 record after being labeled a superteam before the 2026 season. Part of their struggles stems from missing major offseason acquisition Myles Garrett, but that situation is about to change.
Myles Garrett’s Impending Return
Head coach Sean McVay confirmed on Friday that the star pass rusher and defending Defensive Player of the Year is on track to be activated off injured reserve before Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders. Garrett has dealt with a knee injury and participated in limited practices this week, pointing toward an appearance on the weekend.
The knee issue began back in training camp, causing him to miss most of the sessions. Despite the limited preparation, the 30-year-old played in the season-opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. He struggled in his debut with the team, finishing with zero tackles for just the fourth time in his career while playing only 39 snaps due to the injury.
Garrett admitted he was not at full strength following the game, stating, “I’ve got to find a way to recover and get back to the player I know I can be, and I’ve shown that I’ve been before.”
The performance prompted Garrett to have arthroscopic knee surgery, which placed him on injured reserve and forced him to miss the previous seven games. Such a long absence is unusual for Garrett, who previously maintained high durability by missing only two out of 85 games between 2021 and 2025.
Impact on the Defense and Offseason Trade
The Rams currently sit 17th in pressure rate at 36.3% and 27th in sack rate at 4.4% entering Week 9, meaning Garrett’s return should significantly strengthen the pass rush.
Garrett arrived in Los Angeles following a major offseason blockbuster trade on June 1. The Rams sent Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Garrett, subsequently signing him to a restructured five-year contract worth $208.2 million.
Prior to joining Los Angeles, Garrett played his first nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns, collecting two Defensive Player of the Year awards, including the 2025 honor after breaking the single-season sack record with 23.
The Rams will host the Washington Commanders on Sunday as Garrett aims to make his second appearance for his new team.
