The Los Angeles Rams' much-anticipated debut of star defensive end Myles Garrett did not go as planned on Sunday night, as the four-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year finished his first regular-season game in a Rams uniform without a tackle against the San Francisco 49ers.
Garrett, who spent eight seasons building a reputation as one of the most feared pass rushers in football before joining the Rams, recorded zero tackles, zero sack, and zero quarterback hits in what many expected to be a statement performance for the franchise that aggressively invested in his services.
The quiet statistical line stood in stark contrast to Garrett's career averages, which include over 100 career sacks and an annual average of more than one sack per game during his prime years with the Cleveland Browns.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Garrett was characteristically honest and somewhat disappointed in his own effort. He described the performance as "the worst version of myself" and acknowledged that the team's overall defensive output in the game simply was not good enough.
However, Garrett also provided important context regarding his limited impact. He revealed that he has been managing a knee issue that has bothered him throughout training camp and preseason activities. Rather than risk aggravating the injury in a low-stakes season opener, Garrett said his primary focus was on staying healthy and finding his rhythm gradually over the course of the season.
The Rams, who entered the game with championship aspirations after assembling one of the most stacked rosters in the NFL through free agency and trades, were left to process a mixed first impression of their new marquee acquisition. While Garrett's zero-tackle stat line will dominate social media headlines and fantasy football conversations, coaches and analysts alike noted that his presence on the field still commands double teams and draws extra blocking attention — factors that may not show up on the stats sheet but can create opportunities for teammates.
NFL scouts and analysts who watched the game pointed out that Garrett's assignment load, coverage responsibilities, and hand-fighting techniques all appeared slightly different than what he ran with in Cleveland, suggesting that the adjustment period is real and may take several weeks to resolve.
The Rams will look for Garrett to ramp up his production in the coming weeks as the team faces increasingly difficult opponents and as the coaching staff continues to integrate him into their defensive scheme.
