Full Breakdown
Myles Garrett’s Knee Concerns Shadow Rams’ Season-Opening Loss in Australia
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Rams Lose 27-7 to 49ers as Garrett Remains Ineffective
The Los Angeles Rams fell 27-7 to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia. Defensive end Myles Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, recorded no tackles, sacks, quarterback hits or pressures, marking only the fourth career game without a counting defensive statistic. Garrett said a lingering knee issue kept him from playing at his usual level.
Background & Context
Los Angeles acquired Garrett in June 2026, sending Jared Verse and three first-round picks to Cleveland. The trade was meant to give the Rams a game-changing pass-rusher after Garrett’s 23-sack season in 2025. Throughout training camp he dealt with swelling in his left knee, missing several practices and being listed as “about 85 percent” in mid-August. The team limited his workload while hoping he would peak for the opener.
Timeline
- July 29, 2026 – Garrett appears at a Rams training-camp session in Los Angeles.
- September 10, 2026 (scheduled) – The Rams-49ers matchup is slated for the Melbourne Cricket Ground; the 27-7 result was reported.
- September 11, 2026 – The Rams arrive in Melbourne roughly 24 hours before kickoff, a stark contrast to the 49ers’ week-long acclimation.
Data & Statistics
- Garrett: 0 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 QB hits, 0 forced fumbles; PFF credited him with a single pressure on 27 pass-rush snaps.
- Rams: 155 passing yards (15-of-25, 1 INT) and 7 points.
- 49ers QB Brock Purdy: 205 yards and three touchdowns.
- Attendance: Over 100,000 fans filled the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the seventh-largest regular-season crowd in NFL history.
Official Statements & Responses
- Sean McVay, Rams head coach, called the loss “humbling,” said the team “didn’t execute as we wanted,” and noted Garrett would be “ready to go” despite knee swelling.
- Brock Purdy, 49ers quarterback, credited his teammates for respecting the opponent and focusing on execution.
- Aaron Donald was the only Rams player listed on the injury report; the team kept him out of the Australia trip to continue his post-retirement conditioning.
Why It Matters / Impact
Garrett’s limited impact raises questions about the Rams’ defensive ceiling. The franchise invested heavily—trading a first-round pick and signing a four-year, $160 million extension—to anchor its pass rush around Garrett and the returning Aaron Donald. With Donald absent for the opener and Garrett still managing knee pain, the Rams’ ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks is uncertain. The outcome also fuels debate over the team’s travel strategy and its effect on player readiness.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The date ledger lists the September 10 game as “scheduled,” yet multiple outlets report a completed 27-7 loss, creating a factual discrepancy.
- No definitive medical designation (e.g., “questionable”) was provided, leaving the severity of the knee issue ambiguous ahead of Week 2.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This was the worst version of myself that I've put out there, and I've got to be better,” — Myles Garrett
- “I make no excuses. Whether you want to say it's about travel, whatever. We just weren't good enough.” — Sean McVay, Rams head coach
