LOS ANGELES — Rams defensive lineman Myles Garrett returned to Loyola Marymount’s Sullivan Field on Wednesday after missing four consecutive training camp practices with lower-half soreness.
Coincidentally, Garrett’s appearance at camp came the same day as retired defensive lineman Aaron Donald’s workout for the team – which Coach Sean McVay told NFL Daily Podcast was the “best tryout we’ve ever had.”
But as he did a week ago, Garrett said he doesn’t want to sway the 10-time Pro Bowler, who retired after the 2023 season, one way or the other.
Garrett’s patience with Donald’s decision might be related to where the single-season sacks record holder is at in his career.
“I feel good,” Garrett, 30, said following practice. “I’m allowed to get sore. I’m a little old.”
Garrett added that injury and soreness aren’t a part of every preseason, but he’s willing to use the time to his advantage when it comes to recovery and being able to go into the season opener at full strength.
Even at 35, and two seasons removed from his last game, Donald’s potential return to the Rams and the idea of him joining forces with Garrett remains tantalizing for coaches and teammates alike.
“I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it a little bit,” defensive coordinator Chris Shula said of adding a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year to a unit with two-time winner Garrett. “You’re anticipating, but at the same time we’re putting in the core of our defense right now. … If he decides to come, whenever that is, that’s not going to affect exactly how we’re doing it right now.”
Shula added that he doesn’t want Donald’s return to loom over his current players’ heads – especially when it comes to those vying for a spot on the defensive line.
“Last thing you want to do if you’re in those positions is just count numbers at positions,” Shula said. “All you’re trying to do is just get better. … If you play good football for us, we find a way to kind of keep you around and get you on the field.”
While Garrett was back in the mix Wednesday, two of the Rams’ offensive stars – quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Davante Adams – both had scheduled rest days.
Stetson Bennett and 2026 first-round draft pick Ty Simpson split the majority of 11-on-11 snaps at quarterback with mixed results. Bennett threw at least one interception, and Simpson was sacked at least once.
But offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase said he was encouraged by what he saw Wednesday.
“We’re challenging them (Bennett and Simpson) in all phases of our offense,” Scheelhaase said. “Ty has done a really good job. I feel like he’s learning from each and every day, whether he’s out there taking the rep, whether he’s absorbing it, he’s asking all the right questions in the meeting room. … It’s some of those competitive moments at the end of practice (where) you’ve seen him at his best.”
Wide receiver Puka Nacua added that the occasional absences for Stafford or Adams don’t hamper the offense’s ability to build chemistry. Rather, they force other players to take charge.
“It requires a different mindset from everybody,” Nacua said. “Seeing Stetty (Bennett) and some of the other guys step up and make plays. And it allows for (tight end) Tyler Higbee to be out there and opportunities for me, just for the other leaders on our offense, to step up and communicate and take pride.”
Scheelhasse, who, along with McVay, seemed specifically intent on giving running backs Blake Corum and Kyren Williams touches on Wednesday, said he hasn’t necessarily had to worry about players on either side of the ball pulling themselves too far back out of fear of injury.
If anything, Scheelhasse added, the coaching staff has had to pull players back a bit themselves – a sign of just how high the Rams’ potential is this season, the offensive coordinator said.
While the Rams have yet to say anything definitive about what the remainder of Donald’s 2026 might look like, they have not shied from the thrill of what his addition would mean.
“You’re (would be) getting one of the best players of all time,” Shula said. “I was here in ’17, coaching other positions with him. So I know what a great guy he is, what a hard worker he is, and what he would mean to this defense. But at the same time, we’re going to coach guys who are here. And if he decides to come back, that would be great.”