LOS ANGELES — The Rams got the good news they had been waiting for since Week 1 on Friday, as head coach Sean McVay declared that defensive end Myles Garrett will come off injured reserve and play against the Washington Commanders.
Garrett had arthroscopic surgery on his knee after Week 1. He had dealt with discomfort in the knee throughout training camp, but it wasn’t until the season-opening loss to the 49ers that he realized how much it was impacting his usual agility and explosiveness.
After Garrett missed the past seven games, the Rams (4-4) are still determining how much Garrett will be able to play in his first game back and if he will be on any kind of snap count.
“We’ll still working through types of things,” McVay said. “He’s really done a great job in practice. … He has progressed really well, made a tremendous impact on practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Feels really comfortable with the game plan.”
The Rams hope this will be the moment that they get to see their vision for the defense come into focus: Garrett, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, paired with three-time winner Aaron Donald and a host of other talented players across the defense.
But McVay downplayed his own anticipation of seeing the group play together for the first time. He first noted the injuries that have already depleted the group, with corner Jaylen Watson joining defensive tackle Poona Ford on season-ending injured reserve and Kobie Turner still working his way back from a groin strain.
Still, there is a sense of excitement heading into the weekend.
“I’ve loved the way that we’ve worked as a group this week,” McVay said. “It has been exciting to be able to get Myles back into the mix with the other guys that I think have played really well up front. We gotta be able to bring it to life and it’ll be fun to see.”
Injury report
Tight end Terrance Ferguson (ankle) and running back Ronnie Rivers (calf) are expected to be activated off injured reserve to play against the Commanders (2-4-1), McVay said.
Linebacker Grant Stuard (hamstring), receiver Jordan Whittington (back), cornerback Trent McDuffie (back), tight end Colby Parkinson (ribs) and safety Kam Curl (foot) are all listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Commanders. McDuffie did not practice at all this week with his back injury. Long snapper Joe Cardona (ankle) is doubtful to play in Washington.