Myles Garrett Remains Out as Rams Prepare for Season Opener in Australia

Myles Garrett, the Los Angeles Rams' star pass rusher, has missed 12 practices due to minor knee swelling as the team prepares for their regular-season opener in Melbourne, Australia.

Garrett, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has yet to participate in full-team practices, joint sessions, or preseason games since training camp began on July 27 at Loyola Marymount University, according to NBC Sports and other reports.

The Rams acquired Garrett in a major offseason trade with the Cleveland Browns, where he played all 17 games in each of the past two seasons and set the NFL's single-season sack record with 23 last year. He has 125.5 career sacks over nine NFL seasons, as reported by NBC Sports.

Rams head coach Sean McVay emphasized that Garrett's absence remains precautionary.

"The goal is, what can we do to be able to get him ready to roll for Australia?" McVay said, as cited by ocregister.com and nbcsports.com.

McVay reiterated the Rams are erring on the side of caution to ensure Garrett is fully ready for the regular season opener scheduled for September 10 in Melbourne.

Wide receiver Puka Nacua has also been sidelined with a psoas injury since August 11, missing team practices but recently engaging in side workouts, indicating progress toward recovery, according to heavy.com.

"Puka is out here doing some of the side workouts Myles has done recently," Nate Atkins of The Athletic noted during practice, as reported by heavy.com.

McVay described Nacua's recovery as cautious and aimed at a return to full performance, not just participation.

Additionally, offensive lineman Alaric Jackson missed practice for a personal matter unrelated to injury, and tight end Terrance Ferguson worked on the side due to soreness, according to the Ramswire and ocregister.com.

Jackson, the Rams’ starting left tackle, manages a blood clot condition diagnosed last summer, which the team is monitoring, as reported by theramswire.usatoday.com.

The Rams also await a decision from retired star Aaron Donald on a potential return, with McVay preparing roster plans both with and without Donald's presence for the upcoming season.

Quarterbacks Stetson Bennett IV and rookie Ty Simpson are confirmed on the final roster, with plans for the backup quarterback role still under consideration, McVay added.