Myles Garrett’s Absence Leads Chris Canty to Ring the Alarm Bell on Rams’ Season

Rams' superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett is ruled out for six weeks after undergoing surgery on his knee.

Myles Garrett’s Absence Leads Chris Canty to Ring the Alarm Bell on Rams’ Season

Myles Garrett and Chris Canty (Image via NFL RT/X)

Almost everyone quickly christened the Los Angeles Rams the winners of Super Bowl LXI before a ball was even kicked this season. The return of Aaron Donald to pair with Myles Garrett and the retooled defense was touted as the reason they will be favorites.

Sure, when a three-time Defensive Player of the Year returns in peak condition after just two seasons out, there will be more excitement than apprehension. However, the San Francisco 49ers exposed a different concern.

At first, it felt as if head coach Sean McVay‘s decision to arrive late in Australia to play in their season opener was the sole reason. However, fans noticed that Garrett was in and out of the lineup even though he has proved to be more than a capable every-down pass rusher.

Then, it dawned upon the football universe that the new single-season sack record holder was struggling with an injury and would need up to six weeks to return after getting surgery. That, in itself, is enough to ring some alarm bells.

If he doesn’t come back sooner rather than later, their season’s going to be over, whether both of them are going to be healthy enough to line up or not.

Chris Canty said on First Take

The former Super Bowl winner laid out how the Rams are going to face their toughest stretch before their Week 11 bye. Facing an upstart Giants, along with three playoff regulars, will not make it easy for the Los Angeles-based squad.

If they lose most of those games, Canty believes that their season is a wrap. The only way it can be saved is if Myles Garrett aces his recovery and comes back sooner than expected.

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Chris Canty and Gerald McCoy point out deficiencies in Rams defense

After detailing how important it is for the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl hopes that Myles Garrett return fast, Chris Canty then went on to explain how bad the defense was against the San Francisco 49ers.

Rams need Myles Garrett back soon
Rams need Myles Garrett back soon (Image via Primery yDiez/X)

The reality of the situation is that the defense can’t stop the run.

Chris Canty added

After the former defensive end pointed out that even their highly paid and retooled secondary was struggling against their division rivals, First Take host Stephen A. Smith added that the Rams did not rush the passer enough.

Hearing this, Canty stated that to go after the QB, the defense first has to stop the run. When he pointed out to Gerald McCoy, the former D-lineman said:

You’ve got to earn the right to rush the passer, and they did not.

Gerald McCoy added

This was coming from someone who built his legacy on the ability to stop the run. The two former NFL defenders concluded that unless both Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett play together to help slow down opposing running games, their effectiveness rushing the passer will not matter. Subsequently, the secondary will also struggle.

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Matthew Stafford not worried about Myles Garrett

How one week can quickly change opinions from when the Rams were seen as clear favorites to now how they have serious problems that might be difficult to overcome.

That goes to prove the notion that a team that looks good on paper does not equate to success on the field. A lot of things have to come together for it to be labeled as a fruitful experiment. However, with these doubts creeping up, the team’s quarterback is not worried.

This is just a blip on the radar, a little bump in the road. He’ll work diligently to come back as soon as you possibly can.

Matthew Stafford said

The reigning league MVP made it clear to Jim Gray on SiriusXM NFL Radio that Myles Garrett wants to succeed more than he has in his career. That motivation will drive him to return healthy.

Until then, Stafford reiterated that it will be a collective effort from the rest of the defense, as well as his offensive unit, to win games until their superstar pass rusher returns.

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