Los Angeles Rams star defensive end Myles Garrett returned to the field Thursday night in Melbourne, Australia, only to post a disappointing stat line – zero tackles in a 27‑7 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers. The 30‑year‑old, who was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year last season, blamed a lingering knee issue for the sub‑par showing.
Garrett’s own assessment
Speaking after the game, Garrett described his effort as “the worst version of myself that I’ve put out there.” He added, “I’ve got to be better. I’ve 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.” The Rams’ defensive stalwart said he was “more focused on myself and trying to stay healthy than what they were doing, and that showed,” noting that he was not the contributor his team needed.
Coach McVay’s diagnosis
Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed that Garrett’s limited play stemmed from swelling in his left knee. The injury has kept the seven‑time Pro Bowl pass rusher out of most of training camp, and he has been seen wearing a protective sleeve during several practices. McVay said the swelling is a concern but expressed confidence that Garrett will regain his form as the season progresses.
Trade background and career highlights
Garrett was acquired by Los Angeles on June 1 in a blockbuster deal that sent outside linebacker Jared Verse, a 2027 first‑round pick, a 2028 second‑round pick and a 2029 third‑round pick to the Cleveland Browns. The move followed Garrett’s record‑setting 2025 season with the Browns, where he broke the single‑season sack record with 23 sacks.
Since entering the league as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Garrett has amassed 125.5 sacks and 239 quarterback hits over 135 career games (132 starts) with the Browns and now the Rams.
Looking ahead
Garrett said his focus heading into Week 2 will be “getting healthy.” The Rams will host the New York Giants on Monday Night Football on September 21, a game that could also feature the return of three‑time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald.
While the Rams’ defensive line remains one of the league’s most feared units, Garrett’s early-season health will be a key factor in the team’s pursuit of a playoff berth. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the star pass rusher can bounce back from this setback and re‑establish the dominance that made him a defensive icon.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
