Myles Garrett set to return to Rams defense against Washington

Myles Garrett is expected to play for the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday when they host the Washington Commanders. He will return to the field after missing the past seven games with a knee injury. Coach Sean McVay confirmed the linebacker's likely availability on Friday morning before practice began.

The Rams acquired Garrett from the Cleveland Browns during the summer trade. Since joining the team, the two-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year has appeared in only one contest. His last appearance was the season opener in Australia, where he recorded no tackles as Los Angeles suffered a decisive loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Garrett stated that his knee was not fully fit during that game, a condition that had limited him throughout training camp. Following the trip to Melbourne, he underwent surgery. That procedure kept him sidelined until he returned to practice this week. This seven-week absence marks the longest period he has missed in his 10-year career.

Garrett described the time away as difficult. He said he loved being around his teammates and helping the group succeed. He noted that watching his colleagues play while he was unable to participate caused him emotional distress. He cited his family and the local weather as factors that helped him through the recovery period.

Fans had waited months to see Garrett play alongside Aaron Donald. Donald, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, came out of a two and a half year retirement partly because the Rams traded for Garrett. However, Donald did not travel to Australia while he was still ramping up his fitness level. Garrett joked that offenses will have to choose which of the two edge rushers to focus on, as both are effective in one-on-one matchups.

Garrett explained that his injury did not stem from a single play. He said the issue cascaded late in training camp and worsened during the game in Melbourne. He described mechanical hitches in his gait that got worse as he played more. McVay acknowledged that the coaching staff will review whether the surgery could have been performed earlier in the year, though the focus is now on moving forward.

The Rams have struggled to generate sacks without Garrett. The team is tied for 26th in the league with 12 sacks. Edge rusher Byron Young, who leads the Rams with 4.5 sacks, said the group has been generating pressure but failing to finish plays. He stated that having Garrett back will help the team secure the quarterback on the ground.

Tight end Terrance Ferguson is also expected to return to the lineup against Washington. He has been out since September with an ankle sprain and has missed five games. The Rams' secondary faces more uncertainty. Cornerback Jaylen Watson is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Starting cornerback Trent McDuffie is questionable with a back injury after missing the entire week of practice. Starting safety Kam Curl is also questionable due to a foot injury.

The Rams enter the game with a 4-4 record. They will look to use the return of their top defensive talent to stabilize their pass rush. The team has not played together with both Garrett and Donald since the trade was finalized. The matchup against Washington will serve as the first true test of this new defensive alignment.