Report: Rams likely won’t open Myles Garrett’s practice window until after Week 5

The Los Angeles Rams’ plan to get Myles Garrett back on the practice field is unlikely to arrive as soon as Week 6. According to Pro Football Rumors, Garrett will miss his fourth straight contest, which affects the timing of when he would become eligible to return to practice.

Garrett is currently listed on injured reserve after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery following the team’s season-opening trip to Australia. The Rams are set to conclude Week 5 with a night game against the Buffalo Bills, and the report frames that matchup as a key checkpoint before Garrett’s window opens.

In the NFL’s injured-reserve framework, a player must remain away from practice and games for a specified period before becoming eligible to begin practicing again. While the precise internal mechanics can vary by designation and team procedures, the report’s bottom line is straightforward: Garrett’s practice window is not expected to open immediately, and his return to work with the team is delayed past Week 5.

For the Rams, that matters beyond a single game. Garrett is widely viewed as a cornerstone talent on the defensive front, and time on the sideline can reshape how Los Angeles manages snaps for the rest of its pass-rush rotation. Even if the team is protecting its early defensive identity, delayed availability can change game-week preparation, particularly in pass-rush matchups that depend on consistent pressure at full strength.

The Week 5 Bills game also raises the stakes for Los Angeles’ continuity. Buffalo’s offensive tempo and quarterback protection schemes often put stress on the defensive edges, and if Garrett remains out, the Rams will need to rely on other rushers and interior support to avoid turning one matchup into a recurring liability.

There is, however, an important caveat with any timeline emerging from rumor coverage. The report indicates when Garrett is “eligible to return to practice,” but eligibility does not guarantee immediate participation at full intensity, and team decisions around load management can still affect how soon a return might occur in a later week.

What to watch next is whether the Rams formally activate Garrett to practice after their Week 5 conclusion, and if he can progress through team workouts on schedule. If practice participation begins in the expected timeframe, Los Angeles will get a clearer read on the health of its defensive centerpiece and how quickly the pass rush can move back toward its intended form.