Sean McVay says he still cannot gauge Myles Garrett’s timeline after expected Thursday update didn’t come

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said he thought he would have a clearer read on defensive end Myles Garrett’s status by Thursday, but that he still did not. McVay’s comments underscore how even teams with medical plans in place can end up waiting for information to become official when a key player is in the middle of a recovery cycle.

McVay had previously pointed to a specific expectation for more clarity. According to the report, he told reporters on Monday that he anticipated having an update on Garrett by Thursday. When Thursday arrived, McVay again said he did not yet have that information, leaving his availability uncertain.

Garrett is currently on injured reserve after undergoing knee surgery. Being placed on injured reserve typically means a player is expected to miss a meaningful stretch, and it also frames how teams approach practice reps, game-day preparation, and long-term roster management while the player recovers.

The Rams, like most NFL teams, treat pass-rush continuity as more than a single-week problem. Garrett’s role as a premier edge rusher affects how offenses scheme in the trenches, including how blockers set up protections and where running-game gaps are forced. When a player of that profile is sidelined, the staff must adjust both personnel and game plans, then re-integrate responsibilities if the player returns.

McVay’s inability to provide a timeline also highlights the gap that can exist between what a coach hopes to know and what the training staff can safely confirm. With knee recoveries, teams often wait for specific milestones in progression, including the ability to handle practice intensity and the medical clearance process that governs whether a return can occur without risking setbacks.

For Rams fans and the organization, the near-term question is not only whether Garrett comes back, but when the team can begin the process of building toward his return. Even before a return date is announced publicly, teams generally monitor whether a player can ramp up work without limitations and whether practicing structures can accommodate his reintroduction.

The situation also raises the practical challenge of planning week to week. When McVay cannot set expectations, the Rams have to balance giving other defenders stable roles with not closing doors on the possibility of Garrett’s return. As the coaching staff continues to monitor recovery updates, the next development will likely be the first concrete indication that Garrett is moving closer to activation from injured reserve.