Myles Garrett returns for first game alongside Aaron Donald
The Rams' defensive line will feature two Defensive Player of the Year winners for the first time this season.
By Tomas Gonzalez ·
Myles Garrett will play his first game alongside Aaron Donald on Sunday.
The Los Angeles Rams edge rusher is coming off injured reserve for their road matchup against the Washington Commanders. It marks the first time the two stars have shared the field since the 2026 season began. Garrett played only one game before undergoing knee surgery. Donald entered the lineup in Week 2.
The timing of their arrivals created a gap in the schedule. Garrett joined Los Angeles through a trade in June. That move helped prompt Donald to come out of retirement for this season. The two players have waited until November to suit up together. Garrett noted the opportunity feels surreal because he did not expect to share the field with another Defensive Player of the Year winner.
Garrett said the situation kept fans in suspense while Donald decided on his return. He expressed excitement about finally playing real snaps with his teammate. The pairing brings together two players known for disrupting offensive lines. Donald has focused on run defense this season. Garrett holds the single-season sack record. Their skills should complement each other on the field.
Opposing offenses face a difficult choice when both players are active. Both defenders typically draw double teams throughout their careers. Offensive lines may need to stay honest with their assignments to prevent one player from exploiting diverted attention. Garrett believes teams must pick their poison on each play. He stated that both players are effective in one-on-one matchups.
The Rams need this duo to perform at a high level. The team opened the year with a 2-4 record. They are attempting a midseason turnaround to meet Super Bowl expectations. Garrett’s return comes at a critical moment for the defense. He was held without a tackle in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. His knee issues limited his impact during that contest.
Garrett logged five quarterback pressures in that loss. He recorded those pressures on 39 defensive snaps. That represented an 18.5% pressure rate. The mark would be his third-best of the career if sustained over a full season. Garrett has logged double-digit sacks every year since his rookie season. He set the NFL single-season record with 23 sacks last year. He also led the league in tackles for loss in the last two seasons.
