New NFL Rumors on Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald Ahead of Rams vs. 49ers amid Injury, Return

Despite some injury concerns for Myles Garrett and rust to work off for Aaron Donald, the pair of Los Angeles Rams stars reportedly could be on track to join forces along the defensive line for Thursday's season opener against the San Francisco 49ers.

"Myles Garrett had a bit of a knee issue, really didn't do much at all throughout camp," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday on SportsCenter . "They acquired him in June, brought him in. He hasn't been on the field a ton, but they're not really worried. They know he can roll out of bed and get sacks. He's been ramping up slowly but surely, lifting a lot of weights, now he's on the practice field. I'm hearing he should be good as well.

"The big question mark is Aaron Donald because they just acquired him, signed him last week. His training and all the workouts he did for the team have gone great. Looks like himself, but you know he's 35 years old; they want to make sure they ramp him up the right way. He made the trip, he might as well try to play, could be a pitch-count situation if he is out there."

There is far more certainty in Fowler's report when it comes to Garrett, which shouldn't be surprising.

After all, Donald hasn't played since the 2023 campaign and officially decided to come out of retirement less than two weeks before the season opener. It is unrealistic to expect him to be as dominant as he was at his peak, especially early in the season as he is working back into form.

Still, even 70 percent or so of what Donald was on a limited amount of plays would dramatically raise the ceiling for the Rams considering he is one of the best defensive tackles in league history with a resume that includes a Super Bowl title, three Defensive Player of the Year awards and six seasons with double-digit sacks.

As for Garrett, Fowler's report made it seem like the Rams aren't particularly concerned about his overall effectiveness in games despite the knee issue.

And that is welcome news for the rest of the defensive line as well considering the reigning Defensive Player of the Year is sure to draw double teams even when he is on the field with Donald.

That should open up blitzing lanes for everyone else and make Los Angeles even more of a nightmare to deal with for opposing offensive lines.

Garrett set the NFL single-season record with 23 sacks last season for the Cleveland Browns and is coming off his eighth consecutive year with double-digit sacks. He is nearly impossible to block and figures to have a chance at his first Super Bowl ring this season.

That journey to the Super Bowl starts with a season opener that carries plenty of implications against the NFC West rival 49ers.

The Rams, 49ers and Seattle Seahawks all made the playoffs last season with the latter winning the Super Bowl. They could all be among the best teams in the league again in 2026, so head-to-head tiebreakers could make the difference in the division standings.