Rams Edge Myles Garrett will have arthroscopic knee surgery and head to IR. That means he'll miss at least the next four games. We'll see whether the veteran can be ready for Week 6.
What They're Saying
Garrett, after trying to play through the issue in the loss to the 49ers: "This was the worst version of myself that I've put out there. 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."
Garrett in early August, when asked about the knee issue that kept him out of many practices: "I feel good. I'm allowed to get sore. I'm a little old. ... I don't think it's happened every training camp, but every now and then I get a bump or bruise. They're just trying to make sure I get back to 100%."
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: No True Replacement
There are plenty of cases in which we have to guess at how hurt a veteran really is. Garrett's missed camp practices got discussed but also seemed to be downplayed. When he finished the first regular-season practice week with a full workout and no game status, there didn't seem to be much reason to worry.
Garrett then managed to play the second-most snaps among Rams edge defenders, trailing fellow starter Byron Young 47-40. But he registered an empty stat line, and now we know why.
Garrett's worth holding where you can in IDP leagues, but don't over-tax your roster to keep him. We can't know for sure yet that he'll be ready by Week 6 -- or that we'll get full-strength Garrett at any point this year.
The decision to get the surgery now, however, suggests he and the team are optimistic Garrett can fully rebound this season.
The team defense could take a large hit while Garrett's out as well. The 27 points and 379 total yards allowed to San Francisco in Week 1 certainly doesn't get you excited about using the DST. (Though the Week 2 matchup looks potentially positive.)
Other Winners & Losers: Stewart Gains Opportunity
Josaiah Stewart looks like the new No. 2 on the edge for as long as Garrett's out. He had a solid rookie year that included 27 total pressures among 199 pass rushes (a 13.6% rate), according to Pro Football Focus.
Stewart's smallish, at 6'1 and 245 pounds. So we'll have to see just how much playing time the Rams are willing to give him.
A Week 2 home date with the Giants makes Stewart worth a stash in deeper IDP leagues. Don't treat him like a Garrett handcuff in more commonly formatted leagues, though.
The No. 4 edge in the opener was Desjuan Johnson, who produced just 5 total sacks and 9 QB hits across his first three NFL seasons.
The Rams hope to get Aaron Donald ready for Week 2, which might mean some variation in how they arrange personnel up front.
