Reports are dropping faster than a bad punt that the Rams’ newly acquired defensive lineman, Myles Garrett, is already heading to injured reserve and will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery. Just one game into the regular season, after a brutal 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, this is a massive blow, and frankly, it screams “What were they thinking?”
Garrett’s Ghost Appearance and Underlying Issues
Let’s be real, Garrett’s debut for the Rams was basically a no-show. The 49ers stomped the Rams 27-7, and Garrett himself didn’t even register on the stat sheet. We saw the broadcast often cutting to the sideline, showing him just standing there watching the defense. At the time, it looked strange given the Rams’ predicament, but now we know why: the guy was already dealing with it. Turns out, this wasn’t some sudden gameday thing. Garrett was reportedly battling lower-leg and knee issues throughout training camp, and those problems clearly carried right into the regular season. Now he’s on IR for at least four games, the minimum required. You gotta wonder if this was a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode.
A Pricy Acquisition That Might Break the Bank
This isn’t just any player hitting IR; it’s Myles Garrett, and the Rams shelled out some serious draft capital for him this offseason. They traded a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick to the Cleveland Browns to get him. That’s a huge haul for a player who’s now on injured reserve after exactly one game. Talk about buyer’s remorse, right? The big idea was to pair Garrett with Aaron Donald, who they convinced to come out of retirement. The thought was these two together would create an “unstoppable pass rush.” Well, we’ve had a severely limited sample size of Garrett, and Donald hasn’t even suited up yet. It’s a tough pill to swallow for Rams fans, and frankly, 49ers fans know that feeling of giving up a ton of picks for a player who doesn’t pan out all too well.
What’s Next: Advantage 49ers and Giants?
So, what does this mean for the rest of the season? The 49ers won’t see the Rams again until Week 14, so they’ve dodged a potential bullet in the short term. The Rams, though, are hosting the New York Giants for Week 2, and a Garrett injury absolutely “may level the playing field.” Without their prized new pass rusher, their defense is going to have to find another gear. Can they rally without him? We’ll find out soon enough when the Giants come to town. It’s an early season test that just got a whole lot tougher for the Rams.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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