Rams Continue Managing Myles Garrett's Knee, Now Missing at Least a Fourth Practice
Sean McVay says there's 'no reason for concern' and is taking a 'return to performance, not just return to play' approach with both Garrett's knee and Puka Nacua's back, with each targeted to return to practice next week.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett missed his third straight practice with lower-body soreness, though coach Sean McVay downplayed any concern. "He has a little soreness in his lower half, but nothing to worry about," McVay said.
Why the extra caution?
Garrett, acquired by the Rams in a trade from Cleveland this offseason, is being managed with the season opener in mind. Los Angeles opens against San Francisco in Melbourne, Australia, and McVay framed the approach around that trip: "How do we keep him as fresh as possible while getting the necessary callous... so that when we do play in Australia, he's ready to play."
What's the plan going forward?
McVay said the team is erring on the side of being smart, with a reassessment planned after a scheduled team off-day. Garrett was expected to sit again before that point.
Why does this matter for a first-year Ram?
With Garrett still adjusting to a new defense after the trade, getting him full practice reps matters for building chemistry with his new teammates. The soreness delays that process slightly, though the team isn't treating it as a serious issue.
Has the issue continued?
Yes. Garrett sat out again more than a week later during a joint practice against the Cowboys, this time with swelling in his knee, the same lower-body issue that first sidelined him. Garrett said he feels "about 85%." McVay reiterated the team's approach: "there's nothing to be concerned about," adding the Rams are "erring on the side of caution" to have him at full strength by the season opener. Receiver Puka Nacua also left that same practice roughly 45 minutes early with what the team described as minor groin soreness, though no severity or return timeline was given.
Where do both players stand now?
Garrett is still managing knee swelling and has been working out separately with the training staff rather than practicing, with a return targeted for "probably next week." Nacua's issue has since been described as lower-back and psoas soreness, and he's also expected back at practice next week. "We want to make sure that it's a return to performance, not just return to play," McVay said. On Garrett specifically: "we're going to err on the side of caution, while not minimizing how important it is to get those guys out there."
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Rams hold Garrett out as he deals with 'a little soreness'
- ESPN: Rams not looking to rush WR Puka Nacua, DE Myles Garrett back to practice
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