Myles Garrett remains on injured reserve following arthroscopic knee surgery, missing his seventh game as head coach Sean McVay halts premature practice returns.
Sean McVay Rules Out Practice Window for Myles Garrett Ahead of Week 8
So whatever reports are out there, make sure they’re accurate,
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday when addressing external speculation about his defensive end. McVay confirmed that Myles Garrett will miss his seventh game, keeping him sidelined for Sunday’s Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Garrett has not played since the Rams’ season-opening 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia, where he recorded zero tackles before undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery last month. The team subsequently placed him on injured reserve, requiring a mandatory four-game absence that he satisfied following a Week 5 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. Despite speculation from NFL insider Ian Rapoport suggesting a practice return could happen this week, McVay poured cold water on those timelines, announcing that neither Garrett nor tight end Terrance Ferguson will have their 21-day practice windows opened.
Rehabilitation Progress and Recovery Timeline
While external expectations for an immediate return proved premature, McVay emphasized that Garrett’s recovery is progressing as anticipated. The head coach noted that the team evaluates the situation on a week-to-week basis and does not believe the player requires any further surgical interventions.
Rams standout Myles Garrett will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his knee and will be placed on injured reserve sidelining him a minimum of four games, as @TomPelissero reported.
Garrett has been spotted roaming the sidelines during recent Rams home games, observing his new teammates while managing his rehabilitation. Olympic snowboarding champion Chloe Kim, Garrett’s partner, offered additional perspective during media interviews Wednesday, highlighting his relentless work ethic. The thing about Myles and everyone who knows him is this he is such a hard worker and he is doing everything he can to get back out there,
Kim stated, describing his stubborn determination to return stronger.
Defensive Impact and Roster Pressures for the Battered Rams
The prolonged absence of the pass rusher has left a noticeable void in the Los Angeles front seven. Last season with the Cleveland Browns, Garrett led the entire NFL with 23 sacks, establishing himself as one of the league’s most feared defenders. By contrast, the Rams have accumulated only 10 sacks through the early stretch of the 2026 season—a total that ranks lower than 26 other NFL clubs.
Operating without both Garrett and Ferguson leaves a 3-4 Rams squad severely short-handed as they prepare to face their local rivals at SoFi Stadium. Under NFL roster guidelines, once the team finally opens Garrett’s 21-day practice window, they must decide whether to activate him to the 53-man active roster or leave him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
Next Opponent and Earliest Possible Return Date for Week 9
With McVay formally ruling out any on-field practice activity for the current week, the earliest possible game appearance for Garrett is now Week 9, when the Rams travel to face the Washington Commanders. The Los Angeles Rams will first host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
