Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Myles Garrett is set to make his season debut this week after returning from injured reserve, lining up alongside defensive lineman Aaron Donald for the first time. The pairing of two Defensive Player of the Year winners is projected to be one of the NFL's most formidable tandems, with Donald having come out of retirement for the 2026 season.
Garrett played only the season opener before undergoing knee surgery, while Donald debuted in Week 2. The timing of their absences forced them to wait until November to share the field. Garrett described the opportunity as surreal, saying he never expected to play with Donald after the latter kept his retirement decision in suspense.
The blockbuster trade that brought Garrett to Los Angeles in June was a catalyst for Donald's unretirement. Donald has excelled in run defense this season, while Garrett holds the NFL single-season sack record with 23. Their complementary skill sets could force opposing offensive lines to choose which player to double-team, a situation Garrett summarized as "pick your poison."
The Rams enter the matchup against the Washington Commanders with a 2-4 record and are seeking a midseason turnaround to meet Super Bowl expectations. Garrett's return to full health is seen as crucial for the defense's momentum.
In the season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia, Garrett was held without a tackle due to a knee issue that limited his impact. Now healthy, he aims to resume his usual production: he has recorded double-digit sacks every year since his rookie season and led the league in tackles for loss the past two seasons.
Despite the limited snaps in Week 1, Garrett generated five quarterback pressures on 39 defensive snaps, an 18.5% pressure rate that would rank among the best of his career if sustained.
