The Los Angeles Rams are absolutely reeling after news broke that their star outside linebacker, Myles Garrett, needs knee surgery which is expected to sideline him for at least four weeks. This is a gut punch, especially after he just joined the team from the Cleveland Browns in the summer in one of the biggest defensive trades the NFL has ever seen.
Super Bowl Favorites Facing an Early Season Nightmare
This isn’t just some guy; we’re talking about a player who absolutely dominated last season, racking up a mind-blowing 23 sacks and setting an NFL single-season record. Garrett is a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, a force of nature. And let’s not forget, this squad, the Los Angeles Rams, came into the season tabbed as absolute Super Bowl favorites. Talk about pressure! But their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia? That game was a flat-out disaster, a brutal 27-7 defeat. The kicker? Garrett didn’t even manage a single tackle in that loss. For a player of his caliber, known for living in opponents’ backfields, that stat just jumps off the page. Over 100,000 fans watched that 49ers shocker at the MCG, so it wasn’t just a quiet upset, it was a worldwide statement.
The Clock Starts Now: Uncertainty Around Garrett’s Return
Rams head coach Sean McVay is understandably playing it cool on a definitive timeline, telling reporters, “I don’t really [have a timeline] yet. It’s all contingent upon [surgery].” He’s not wrong to be cautious, but the expectation is still that “he’ll be available in four weeks potentially.” That’s a huge potential hole in the defense for a team with such high expectations. After that dismal opening performance, Garrett himself sounded pretty frustrated, saying he’s “got to find a way to recover and get back to the player I know I can be and I’ve shown that I’ve been before.” You can feel his determination, but recovery is no joke. While other teams like the Bears, Bills, and Ravens were racking up wins on a record-breaking Sunday, the Rams were left licking their wounds and now dealing with this crushing injury news.
So, what’s next? The Rams are now without their defensive cornerstone for a month, minimum, following a humiliating season-opening loss. This early season stretch is going to be a true test of their depth and their status as “Super Bowl favorites.” Every single game counts, and they need to find a way to hold down the fort until their record-breaking DPOY can get back on the field. The clock is ticking.
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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