NFL: NFL Melbourne Game -Los Angeles Rams Practice
Sep 10, 2026; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at Marvel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2026 NFL season with sky-high expectations. Already a Super Bowl favorite, the Rams made a blockbuster deal in June to acquire two-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns.
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With reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford primed for his 18th season, and the return of franchise legend Aaron Donald, the Rams seemed to have put together a nearly unstoppable roster.
However, their season got off to a disastrous start Thursday night. Los Angeles suffered a 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia. Suddenly, the overwhelming Super Bowl favorite looked extremely vulnerable.
In his first game in a Rams uniform, superstar Myles Garrett struggled to make an impact. He played 40 of the team’s 65 defensive snaps, but failed to record a sack, tackle, or quarterback hit. It was his first game since 2018 without a pressure.
Garrett had been dealing with a lingering knee issue throughout camp, and unfortunately his health concerns did not end with the season opener. The team announced the 30-year-old would undergo knee surgery and be placed on injured reserve, guaranteeing that he will miss at least the next four games.
According to Rams staff writer Stu Jackson, head coach Sean McVay said Monday that he isn’t sure how long Garrett will be sidelined following knee surgery. McVay does not want to establish a timetable until the team has all of the information available following the procedure.
Sean McVay said he isn't sure how long Myles Garrett will be out after knee surgery, partly because he didn't want to put a timeline on it until he has all the information post-surgery. Garrett will miss at least the next four games on Injured Reserve.
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) September 14, 2026
The Rams had initially hoped that Garrett would be able to manage without surgery, but that ultimately wasn’t the case. Los Angeles will now be without arguably their best overall player for games against the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills. He will be eligible to return in Week 6 for an NFC West matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.
With Garrett out, Byron Young figures to take on an even more important role on the edge, while the potential return of Aaron Donald could provide a major boost to the defensive front. Donald did not play in the team’s opener, after coming out of retirement shortly before the season began.
For now, Los Angeles can only wait for the results of Garrett’s surgery before determining when he might be able to return.
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Chris Trant
Chris Trant is an author for The Big Lead, where he covers breaking news and updates across the sports landscape. Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Chris developed a passion for sports at a young age, following the NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAAF and MLB. He graduated from the University of Victoria with a degree in English and a minor in Professional Writing for Journalism. He is currently pursuing a career in sports journalism, with an interest in covering major storylines across professional and collegiate sports in the United States and Canada.
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