The Los Angeles Rams are trying to learn how to live without star defender Myles Garrett, as the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year was added to injured reserve this week due to a knee issue. The team will get Garrett back at some point, but for defensive coordinator Chris Shula, he has the unenviable task of attempting to make up for that level of impact schematically.
Many believe second-year outside linebacker Josaiah Stewart will be called upon to step up in his place after an impressive rookie season where he secured three sacks and factored into all three of their playoff games.
On Tuesday, Rams reporter Stu Jackson asked Shula about Stewart, with the defensive coordinator saying that he trusts his young defender and feels good
when he sees him on the field.
"You would say probably as a player and a person, one of the guys that's grown the most as far as the (outside linebacker) unit," said Shula. "He's a guy that – I've heard (head coach) Sean (McVay) say it where trust is a big word, and I think trust is a big word for all coaches, and I talked to Stew about this in OTAs or training camp where (OLBs coach) Joe (Coniglio) controls the rotation during the games, and if I see Stew out there, I know I feel good. It doesn't matter, the situation can be 1st and 10, it could be third and 12, could be any type of situation."
That's a promising statement considering the current status of Los Angeles' defense. In the opener, Stewart played 28 out of the team's 65 defensive snaps. He recorded six tackles and one quarterback hit.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams DC expresses utmost trust in Josaiah Stewart with Myles Garrett out
