Myles Garrett Misses Rams Practice With Knee Swelling as Australia Opener Looms in 2 Days

Q: Why did Aaron Donald quietly stay behind from the NFL's historic 100,000-fan Australian debut?

Aaron Donald stayed behind because the Rams decided he is not ready for game action yet and do not want to rush his return from retirement. Coach Sean McVay said Donald, 35, has been progressing well but needs a “necessary ramp-up” after rejoining the team in late August following two seasons away from football. Donald had only recently returned to individual and limited team work, and the Rams judged that asking him to make a 15-to-16-hour trip to Melbourne and play immediately would be too quick a turnaround. The team has already ruled him out for the opener against the 49ers, so there was little reason to send him on the long international trip for a game he would not play in. McVay said the decision was based on what is best for both Donald and the club over the full season, not just Week 1. The Rams’ concern is preserving Donald for the long haul and reducing the risk of a soft-tissue setback after such a long layoff. Reports indicate the club wants extra time to build his conditioning and football readiness rather than expose him too early in a high-profile opener. That caution is also easier to justify because Los Angeles believes it has enough defensive-line depth to manage without him for now, especially with Myles Garrett expected to play. Donald’s next realistic chance to debut is Week 2 against the Giants, when he will have had more time to acclimate without the added strain of international travel.

3 articles · Updated · NBC Sports · Sep 8

Sean McVay said Myles Garrett will play Thursday in Melbourne even after the Rams star sat out Tuesday’s final practice before departure because of knee swelling.
Garrett had returned to practice Sunday and worked Monday, but the Rams’ first required injury report of 2026 listed him as a non-participant.
Aaron Donald also had limited work Tuesday and will not make the Australia trip as he tries to regain playing shape after not appearing in an NFL game since 2023.
Jaylen Watson missed practice with a toe issue, Grant Stuard was limited by a hamstring injury, and Tyler Higbee, Alaric Jackson and Byron Young were held out for rest.