Garrett’s Rams debut exposes fitness concerns in Melbourne defeat

Myles Garrett described his Los Angeles Rams debut as the “worst version” of himself after the team was beaten 27–7 by the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne.

Garrett recorded no tackles and said he was not fully healthy because of a knee issue. He said he needed to recover and return to the level he had shown previously.

“I wasn’t the player that I wanted to be,” Garrett said, according to Fox Sports. “I didn’t feel like I was the player I’ve been before when I stepped onto that field.”

The defeat, reported as the first NFL game played in Australia, exposed a broader gap between the Rams and a 49ers side that gained 379 yards to Los Angeles’ 290. San Francisco also rushed for 174 yards and scored three passing touchdowns.

Rams coach Sean McVay called the result “a humbling day”. His assessment of Garrett’s condition differed from the player’s, with McVay saying Garrett was healthy to his knowledge.

Garrett joined the Rams from the Cleveland Browns in a major trade in June. Trent McDuffie, another off-season addition, made four tackles, including one for loss, and defended two passes.