Myles Garrett Sidelined by Knee Swelling; Nacua Exits Rams Practice Early

Defensive end Myles Garrett missed his second consecutive practice Tuesday due to knee swelling as the Rams faced the Dallas Cowboys in a joint session.

Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett remained sidelined for a second consecutive session during Tuesday's joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys. The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year is currently managing swelling in his knee, an ailment that prevented his participation in the mid-August workout. While Garrett watched from the sidelines, star wide receiver Puka Nacua was forced to leave the field early. Nacua was unable to finish the practice session, with later reports from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport attributing his departure to minor groin soreness.

Head coach Sean McVay confirmed that the team is adopting a precautionary approach regarding Nacua’s condition. The receiver’s exit occurred after he was deemed unable to complete the scheduled drills. This development follows a productive season for the Rams' offense, though the specific duration of Nacua's expected absence remains unconfirmed. McVay noted he did not initially know the exact nature of the wideout's issue before the groin soreness was identified.

Garrett Managing Lower Half Soreness

Myles Garrett, who joined the Rams via a June trade after nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns, was observed wearing a sleeve on his left leg during the team's Tuesday activities. Although McVay could not specify which knee was affected by the swelling, the pass rusher communicated to the coaching staff that he is currently feeling at "about 85%." This follows a disclosure from McVay last week that the veteran defender was dealing with general soreness in his lower half.

Despite the missed practice time, the Rams organization has expressed a lack of concern regarding Garrett's long-term availability. McVay emphasized that the defensive end has not suffered any setbacks during his recovery process. The team is working closely with Reggie Scott, the senior vice president of sports medicine and performance, to determine the most effective path for Garrett’s return to full performance levels.

Record-Breaking Production and Future Outlook

Garrett enters this season following a historic campaign where he led the NFL with 23 sacks, setting a new league record for a single season. The Rams are prioritizing his health to ensure he is prepared to peak when the team travels to Australia to begin the regular season. McVay described Garrett as a player who "wanted to be out there" but noted the necessity of erring on the side of caution to prevent further irritation of the joint.

The Rams' medical staff is focused on ensuring that when Garrett returns to play, he is capable of performing at his usual elite standard. While the swelling has kept him out of team drills for two straight days, the coaching staff maintains there is nothing to be concerned about regarding his status. The team continues to monitor both Garrett and Nacua as they navigate the remainder of their joint practice schedule against Dallas.