Myles Garrett is set to return from injured reserve this week, and his first game back will also mark his first NFL snaps alongside Aaron Donald. The Los Angeles Rams pass-rush duo has been anticipated since Donald announced he would come out of retirement for the 2026 season, but injuries and timing kept the two Defensive Player of the Year winners apart until now.
Why the pairing was delayed
Garrett appeared in only the season opener before undergoing knee surgery, while Donald made his season debut in Week 2. That overlap never materialized, pushing their first shared game to November. Garrett said the knee bothered him throughout the opening loss and prevented him from making his usual impact, which explained why he recorded no tackles in that game.
Even in that limited outing, Garrett showed signs of his disruptive form. He generated five quarterback pressures on Brock Purdy, an 18.5% pressure rate across 39 defensive snaps. That rate would have ranked as the third-best full-season mark of his career.
A complementary skill set
Donald has been stronger against the run than as a pass rusher this season, according to the source, and Garrett’s return should balance the pressure packages. Garrett has posted double-digit sacks in every season since entering the league as the No. 1 overall pick, and last season he set the NFL single-season record with 23. He also led the league in tackles for loss in each of the past two years.
Both players have consistently drawn double teams, which forces opposing offensive lines to make difficult choices. Garrett described the dilemma offenses face, noting that either defender is capable of winning one-on-one blocks and that the Rams will have fun with the attention diverted to one or the other.
Timing for a Rams turnaround
Garrett’s arrival via a June trade helped spark Donald’s decision to return, making their long-awaited pairing a natural next step. The Rams opened the year 2-4 but are in the middle of a potential midseason turnaround, and they need to sustain momentum to meet Super Bowl expectations.
Garrett said it will be surreal to share the field with Donald, a fellow Defensive Player of the Year, after never expecting the opportunity entering the season. He noted that Donald kept everyone in suspense before announcing his return and expressed excitement about playing real snaps together.
The Rams travel to face the Washington Commanders on Sunday, when the duo will finally test how formidable it can be.
