The
Garrett has been sidelined since mid-September, when he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. His absence followed his participation in the Rams' season-opening game against the San Francisco 49ers, which took place in Australia. The pass rusher had previously noted that he was not at full health during that contest, having dealt with persistent knee irritation that hampered his availability throughout the team's training camp.
Recovery Progress and Defensive Impact
The path to Sunday’s game became clearer after Garrett returned to the practice field earlier this week. While head coach
The Rams acquired Garrett during the offseason in a high-profile trade with the Cleveland Browns, sending two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Jared Verse and a package of three draft picks—including a 2027 first-round selection—to Cleveland. The move was designed to create a dominant defensive pairing by uniting Garrett with the unretired Aaron Donald.
However, the anticipated defensive dominance has yet to fully materialize on the field. Through the early stages of the season, the Rams have struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, currently ranking tied for 26th in the league with just 12 sacks. The organization is hopeful that the return of the 2025 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, who set a single-season record with 23 sacks for the Browns, will provide the necessary spark to elevate the team's pass-rushing efficiency as they look to improve their standing against Washington.
