Los Angeles Rams star defensive lineman Myles Garrett will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery and be placed on injured reserve, sidelining one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers for at least four games, according to multiple reports Sunday. The Rams are hopeful Garrett can return in roughly four weeks, though the exact timeline will depend on his recovery.
Garrett has been dealing with knee and lower-leg issues since training camp, missing significant practice time before returning shortly before the regular-season opener. The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year played 40 of 65 defensive snaps in the Rams’ 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, on Friday but failed to record a tackle or pressure. Garrett acknowledged afterward that he was not performing at full strength.
The injury is a significant setback for a Rams defense that entered the season with major expectations following the offseason acquisition of Garrett from the Cleveland Browns. Garrett set an NFL record with 23 sacks last season and has 125.5 sacks in his nine-year career. Los Angeles acquired him in June in a blockbuster trade that sent linebacker Jared Verse and three future draft picks to Cleveland.
Garrett’s absence is expected to put additional pressure on the Rams’ defensive front, particularly as veteran Aaron Donald works his way back after returning from retirement. Los Angeles is scheduled to face the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills during the stretch in which Garrett is expected to be sidelined.
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