After missing most of training camp and the team’s two joint practices due to a knee injury, Los Angeles Rams fans were anxiously awaiting their first chance to see Myles Garrett on the field this season. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year was Los Angeles’ biggest acquisition in a busy offseason, trading Jared Verse and three draft picks for him in June.
And while everyone was hoping he’d start his Rams tenure with a bang, Garrett gave fans very little to cheer about. His debut went about as poorly as possible, contributing minimally in the Rams’ 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night.
To put his performance into perspective, Puka Nacua had more tackles than Garrett; Nacua "tackled" Renardo Green after his interception.
Here’s a look at Garrett’s stat line from Week 1.
- 0 tackles
- 0 sacks
- 0 QB hits
- 0 batted passes
- 0 forced fumbles
Pro Football Focus only credited him with one pressure all game long, and it was only a hurry. Not a hit or sack.
It’s just the fourth time in his career that he finished a game with zero tackles, QB hits or sacks, getting blanked in the box score. His previous three games were all losses, too – and all by at least 17 points.
Garrett admitted after the game that he’s not 100% healthy, still dealing with a lingering knee issue that plagued him during the summer. He said it was “the worst version” of himself that he’s put out there, and he’s “got to be better.”
After his 0-tackle Rams debut, Myles Garrett admits he’s not 100% after his knee issue in camp: “This was the worst version of myself that I’ve put out there, and I’ve got to be better.” pic.twitter.com/sfZazfoKYI
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) September 11, 2026
It didn’t help that the 49ers ran away from him and threw quick passes to neutralize his skills as a pass rusher. And they used chips often against him, whether it was with a tight end or running back.
But it was still a wildly disappointing debut for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year. He’ll look to bounce back in Week 2 against the Giants, provided he’s healthy 11 days from now.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Myles Garrett's Rams debut couldn't have gone much worse
