Los Angeles Rams star defensive end Myles Garrett will undergo knee surgery after the team’s season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers made it clear he could not play through the injury, according to head coach Sean McVay. The procedure will sideline the reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year for at least the mandatory four-game minimum on injured reserve, halting a high-profile start to his tenure in Los Angeles following a blockbuster offseason trade from the Cleveland Browns.
How the Rams Realized Garrett Needed Surgery
During training camp, the Rams attempted to manage a lingering issue involving swelling in Garrett’s knee, operating on the belief that the veteran pass rusher could work through the physical limitation. McVay acknowledged that playing in a real, high-intensity regular-season game changed that calculus. According to McVay, stepping onto the field for the opener against San Francisco proved that the initial management strategy was no longer viable, prompting the franchise to shift course and schedule the operation.
“We had been aware of this, thought it was something he would be able to work through,” McVay said in comments reported by the Associated Press. “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.’”
Garrett’s Pre-Game Readiness and Offseason Expectations
Garrett gave no public indication that his mobility or effectiveness would be compromised ahead of the matchup. Speaking to reporters on the Tuesday prior to kickoff, he declared himself ready to play and expressed confidence in his ability to perform at an elite level.
McVay defended the team’s cautious approach to veterans’ practice workloads, noting that the organization routinely limits practice exposure for elite players to keep them fresh for game days. “The reality is our job is to put our players and our team in positions to have successful outcomes,” McVay said. “Thought we would take an approach where he’d be feeling good enough to go contribute positive change 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.”
Impact on Aaron Donald and the Rams’ Defense
The blockbuster acquisition of Garrett earlier this year played a significant role in enticing star defensive tackle Aaron Donald out of retirement last month. However, Garrett’s immediate absence will not accelerate or alter Donald’s timeline back to the active roster. Donald did not travel with the team to its season opener in Australia as he works to regain football shape following a two-year hiatus from the NFL.
McVay noted that it remains premature to determine whether Donald will make his season debut during the Rams’ upcoming home opener against the New York Giants. “He’s going to continue to work his process, and we’ll see what that looks like,” McVay said regarding the three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year.
Next Steps and Recovery Timeline
Garrett has been placed on injured reserve, locking him out of action for a minimum of four games while he undergoes and recovers from the knee procedure. McVay did not provide a specific return date beyond the four-game mandatory absence, stating that a clearer timeline would emerge once the surgery is completed and medical staff evaluate his rehabilitation progress. The Rams return to action next Monday at home against the New York Giants, where they will begin reshaping their defensive front without Garrett.
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