Matthew Stafford seemed to downplay Myles Garrett’s recent knee surgery during a podcast discussion on Tuesday. Yet, looking at the Rams’ past, it’s evident that their injury situations can be hard to assess.
“It’s just a minor setback, a little bump in the road,” Stafford remarked on the “Let’s Go!” podcast, expressing hope that Garrett would work hard to bounce back quickly.
Stafford, familiar with the pressures that come with big player acquisitions—he dealt with similar expectations upon his arrival in 2021—acknowledged that Garrett is “a human being” and noted the need for the whole team to step up during his absence.
However, the underlying concern is that the Rams aren’t sure when Garrett will be back on the field.
With the knee surgery and placement on injured reserve, it’s clear he will miss several upcoming games against teams like the Giants, Broncos, Eagles, and Bills. While Week 6 against Arizona might be the earliest he could return, that’s not set in stone. Coach Sean McVay refrained from providing a clear recovery timeline, hinting that Garrett might be available after four weeks, but that’s just a possibility.
This uncertainty is crucial, especially since Garrett had earlier shown signs of knee soreness before practicing on a modified schedule and was cleared to play. Unfortunately, he ended up without any notable stats in the game against San Francisco. He later admitted that he was more focused on self-preservation than playing aggressively. Shortly after, the focused maintenance plan shifted to the need for surgery.
This situation seems to align with a known pattern in handling injuries by the Rams: often minimizing the issue, expressing optimism, and avoiding firm timelines.
Back in 2018, for instance, the Rams insisted Todd Gurley was fit as his playing time dwindled, revealing later the truth about his chronic knee issues.
Similarly, Stafford’s elbow problems in 2022 were initially treated as manageable until McVay eventually acknowledged the seriousness of the condition.
Last year, Stafford’s back pain kept him out of training camp, while the team remained optimistic about his availability for the season opener, even as they internally considered placing him on injured reserve leading up to that game.
These past experiences don’t definitively indicate the Rams misrepresented Garrett’s situation, but they do serve as a reminder that optimistic language shouldn’t be mistaken for a clear return timeline.
Time is not on the Rams’ side, either. The Giants just showcased a strong running game and lengthy drives against the Cowboys. While the Broncos’ pass protection seemed weak, the Rams face them on a short week. Then, their road ahead to Philadelphia looks tough, culminating in a matchup against Buffalo and Josh Allen, which is likely to be the biggest challenge of all.
There’s also Aaron Donald, who many hope will return as a strong asset. However, his own availability remains in question, as he stayed back during the trip to Australia to focus on getting back into football shape after an extended absence. McVay hasn’t fully committed to his play against the Giants yet.
The Rams designed their defense with the goal of pairing two former Defensive Players of the Year. With Garrett out and Donald still working on his conditioning, that plan will likely not materialize until at least Week 6.
Stafford might be onto something in his assessment. For now, though, the Rams can’t accurately outline how this setback may unfold.
