The Los Angeles Rams will kick off their 2026 season hosting the San Francisco 49ers in Australia, and much of the attention is on their new pass rusher, Myles Garrett. Despite missing Tuesday's practice due to knee swelling, Rams head coach Sean McVay has confirmed Garrett is ready to play in the season opener.
Garrett's absence from practice came just before the team's long trip down under, a detail that sparked concern given his limited practice reps throughout the summer. Still, McVay's straightforward assurance -- "I'm ready to go" -- sets the tone for the Rams' defensive front heading into Week 1.
For many teams, a star edge rusher skipping a single Tuesday's practice might be a footnote. For the Rams, however, it underscores the challenge of opening the season without stalwart interior lineman Aaron Donald, who is sidelined for the opener but expected to return soon. "Aaron won't play in this game," McVay confirmed. "I think he'll be ready to go sooner rather than later."
Donald's absence changes the dynamic dramatically. Known for his interior dominance, Donald's presence frees up Garrett by generating interior pressure, forcing offenses to allocate extra blockers to the edge. Without Donald, Garrett will likely face more double teams, chips from running backs, and heightened offensive attention -- a tough assignment against San Francisco's nuanced offensive scheme.
The 49ers' offense, led by Kyle Shanahan, is built to disrupt pass rushers with motion and play-action, leveraging backs like Christian McCaffrey to exploit defenders aggressive off the edge. It creates a complex puzzle for any defensive front, especially one missing a defensive tackle of Donald's caliber.
Garrett, a former No. 1 overall pick and a nearly decade-long NFL veteran, joins a defense anchored by another elite defender inside and an offense led by veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford, in his 18th season, threw for 46 touchdowns last year, and alongside receivers like Davante Adams, the Rams are clearly a team built to compete now.
This urgency defines the acquisition of Garrett. Rarely do premier edge rushers of his caliber arrive with a window to contend immediately. This roster is not developmental but designed to win, with long-tenured stars positioned for a final run. Thus, opening the season with Garrett banged up and Donald out is far from ideal, highlighting the stakes.
Expectations for Garrett against the 49ers are reasonable but tempered. A sack may not be guaranteed against a mobile, inventive offense, but pressure surely is. McVay spoke of a "necessary ramp up," noting Garrett understands the importance of managing his snaps and health this early in the season. Predictions suggest Garrett may play between 70 to 80 percent of snaps -- enough to make an impact without risking further injury.
Meanwhile, the responsibility inside will shift heavily to younger players. Kobie Turner will see a meaningful expanded role as the next interior leader. McVay praised Turner and fellow defensive tackle Braden Fiske, calling Turner "obviously... a captain leading the way." Turner's development is critical if the Rams are to contain McCaffrey's inside runs and disrupt the 49ers' play-fakes.
On the edge opposite Garrett, Byron Young -- now in his fourth year -- and second-year linebacker Josaiah Stewart step up. Neither possesses Garrett's elite status, but both will be relied upon heavily to keep pressure consistent and assist against the versatile 49ers defense.
The Rams' roster construction also reveals financial realities. With just over $2.5 million in cap space and nearly $12.2 million in dead money, the front office has limited flexibility for in-season moves. This elevates the importance of Garrett's health as the team cannot count on easily adding another impactful pass rusher should injuries mount.
"Ready to go" for Garrett, therefore, means available and active, not necessarily at his peak form. Despite dealing with knee swelling and limited reps in preseason, the Rams are banking on strategic rest and treatment preserving Garrett's strength for the regular season. The calculus appears sound; elite pass rushers typically improve through game action, not early practices.
Playing in Australia brings its own complications with unfamiliar travel, time differences, and surface conditions, adding complexity to Garrett's return from the knee issue. Yet, oddsmakers still show the Rams favored by about 2.5 to 3 points, underscoring confidence in the Rams' overall talent and depth.
San Francisco's quarterback Mac Jones provides a different challenge than last year's Brock Purdy but Shanahan's scheme remains a potent threat. The Rams' secondary, featuring young talents such as Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, and Emmanuel Forbes Jr., is expected to hold coverage if pressure up front is generated effectively.
The early-season test is clear: will the Rams' investment in veteran linemen with heavy mileage pay off, starting with Garrett and without Donald? Both players' status is described as temporary, but their absence leaves the defense vulnerable in a critical Week 1 matchup far from home.
Ultimately, the Rams look poised to edge this contest. Garrett is projected to contribute at least one pressure leading to a turnover, even if a sack eludes him. What follows in Weeks 2 to 4 will be more telling for the team's championship aspirations. How the line holds up, especially Garrett's knee health, will determine whether the Rams' "win-now" window expands or begins to close.
This opener is more than a game; it is a litmus test for a team assembled to contend immediately. For Garrett and the Rams, the journey starts here, balancing optimism with prudence as the long NFL season ahead unfolds.
