Myles Garrett is officially back on the practice field, hitting it Sunday and Monday, and that’s big news. Coach Sean McVay even dropped the bombshell that Garrett will totally play in the season opener on Thursday against the Rams. But here’s the kicker: this dude, a certified game-wrecker, pretty much sat out most of training camp because of knee swelling, and that’s got everyone side-eyeing the whole situation.
The Unsettling Reality of Missed Reps and Knee Swelling
We’re talking about an outside linebacker who’s supposed to be an absolute menace, but he hasn’t been out there much with his squad all summer. Missing most of camp with knee swelling? That’s no small thing for anyone, especially not for a foundational piece of a defense. He was a no-show Tuesday, too. McVay says he’s playing, which, sure, is good to hear, but what does “playing” even mean right now? Is he on a snap count? You gotta figure that’s coming, but officially, “no one is saying.” Garrett himself wouldn’t even give a straight answer about how he felt physically. Instead, he just straight up told everyone he’s “ready for the season opener despite the lack of training camp reps.” That’s the kind of confidence that makes you wonder: is he genuinely fine, or is he just saying he’s fine? It’s a huge gamble for a team looking to make some noise.
“Plenty of Support” and Super Bowl Dreams
Garrett’s confidence, though, seems to totally stem from his crew, which is a big relief. He told Benjamin Royer of ocregister.com, “I think I’ll be able to play off of some great teammates. We have a strong defense all around, and they’ll make it easy, even if I am a touch off of what I usually am. I don’t suspect that I will be, but I have plenty of support, that’s all I’m saying.” That’s the kind of locker room talk you love to hear, especially when your DPOY is easing back in. This isn’t the same situation he had with the Browns, where individual brilliance often felt like the only thing going. He absolutely tore it up last season, setting an NFL record with 23 sacks and grabbing his second Defensive Player of the Year award. But for most of his nine seasons in Cleveland, that’s all he and the Browns were playing for, grinding through a 58-90 record with only two playoff appearances. The Rams, though? Their goals are astronomically higher. Garrett said it himself, no hesitation: “Super Bowl.” That’s the bar, folks.
What’s at Stake for the Rams on Thursday
So, Thursday’s season opener against the Rams is going to be massive. We’ve got arguably the best defensive player in the league, coming off an NFL-record 23 sacks, but he’s barely practiced all summer with a knee issue. He’s banking on his teammates to carry some of the load, and the team’s got those massive “Super Bowl” aspirations on their minds. Can Garrett truly be “a touch off” and still help them get to that ultimate goal? Or will the lack of those crucial reps and that lingering knee swelling slow down their DPOY right out of the gate, putting a dent in those lofty dreams before the first snap? Every eye is gonna be on him and that Rams D when the whistle blows.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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