Myles Garrett’s much-hyped debut for the Los Angeles Rams was an absolute dud on Thursday, September 10, as he failed to log a single tackle in their brutal 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. This wasn’t just a quiet game for the star edge rusher; he was practically invisible on the field, unable to generate much pressure on Brock Purdy throughout the entire matchup. If you were watching, you saw a performance that felt a million miles away from the guy who just put up an NFL-record 23 sacks in his final season with the Cleveland Browns, cruising to his second Defensive Player of the Year award in three years. What in the world happened?
A Silent Start for a Superstar
Garrett’s stat line against the 49ers? Zero. That’s right, a big fat goose egg across the board. It’s wild to think this is the same player who dominated the league, but he literally did not record a single counting stat in the Rams’ Week 1 opener. The last time this dude had such a quiet game was way back in Week 11 of the 2024 season when his Browns lost 35-14 to the New Orleans Saints. It’s a shocking downturn for a player expected to be a game-wrecker from snap one, especially for a guy who just got a massive change of scenery.
The “Lower-Leg Stuff” That Could Be A Huge Problem
So, was Garrett hurt? Well, he didn’t even have an injury designation coming into the game. But Netflix’s Tom Pelissero dropped some serious info during a fourth-quarter sideline report, noting that Garrett wasn’t exactly at 100%. Apparently, he’s been battling a “malady” since training camp. Pelissero said, “He’s been subbing in and out throughout, and every time that he leaves the field, he really seems gassed.” The team called it a “knee injury” during camp, but Garrett himself admitted it’s “lower-leg stuff” and, even worse, it’s still causing him pain. This isn’t just a minor tweak; barely practicing in training camp because of this issue tells you everything. It’s unclear if the Rams will change his injury designation after this performance, but it’s clear something is off.
The Cost of Garrett’s Struggles Just Got Way Higher
This invisible performance stings even more when you look at what the Rams gave up to get Garrett. They shelled out a huge package to the Browns: Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick. That’s a haul. For a player who just delivered a stat-less debut while looking gassed and nursing a lingering injury? That’s a nightmare scenario. Garrett, now 30, has to prove he’s worth that insane price. He’ll get another shot to turn things around next week against the Miami Dolphins. Let’s hope for the Rams’ sake, and for their huge investment, that this “lower-leg stuff” doesn’t become a season-long albatross.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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