RADIO
Los Angeles Rams D/ST Worth Starting with Star Player Back
The Los Angeles Rams D/ST has been a relatively mediocre option in fantasy football this season, but the unit belongs back in starting lineups with the return of star pass rusher Myles Garrett (knee) ahead of Week 9 against the Washington Commanders. The Rams are coming off an impressive two-interception performance against the Chargers in which they surrendered just nine points. While the Commanders' offense has performed better than the Chargers, there's still a great chance for the Rams to impose their will, especially with Garrett back in the mix. Washington has dealt with several injuries on offense, and they'll be without Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin, IR), Terry McLaurin (knee), and Treylon Burks (foot) for this week's game. The Commanders don't turn the ball over that much, but they're averaging a modest 2.3 sacks and 22.7 points allowed per game, giving the Rams an opportunity to rank as a top-12 D/ST unit in fantasy football.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Myles Garrett Expected to Practice Ahead of Week 9
Los Angeles Rams pass-rusher Myles Garrett (knee) is expected to practice ahead of Week 9, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Although the Rams were optimistic that Garrett would practice last week and that didn't happen, they're much more optimistic about his ability to get on the practice field leading up to Week 9. That doesn't necessarily mean that Garrett will suit up next weekend against the Commanders, but it's certainly a step in the right direction. Garrett hasn't played since the season opener, and even then, he clearly wasn't his usual self. The 31-year-old will look to get back to his pre-Los Angeles form, such as when he racked up 23 sacks with the Browns last year. As the Rams look to get back above .500 and stay in the playoff mix, having Garrett healthy and available to attack opposing offenses is pivotal.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Los Angeles Rams D/ST a Top-Tier Option for Week 8
The Los Angeles Rams D/ST should be started in all fantasy leagues ahead of a very favorable Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Rams' defense has quietly been one of the lower-scoring units in fantasy football this season, but they have a glaring opportunity to get right against the Chargers. Sitting at 0-6, the Chargers have allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing D/ST units, and it's not particularly close. The Bolts have an NFL-most 15 turnovers this season, and their 21 sacks rank fourth-most in the league. The Rams march forward without Myles Garrett (knee) for the time being, but this is still a very talented and well-coached defense. The Rams rank #3 among D/ST units in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 8.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Myles Garrett Will Not be Designated to Return Ahead of Week 8
Los Angeles Rams star pass rusher Myles Garrett (knee) will not have his practice window opened this week, head coach Sean McVay told Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times. Garrett has been on injured reserve since the days following Los Angeles' Week 1 loss in Australia. He has missed six consecutive games and is now on track to miss a seventh. NFL teams have the option to designate players to return, which allows them to practice for a certain amount of time without being activated from injured reserve. However, the Rams aren't ready to open Garrett's practice window quite yet, which suggests that he could still be at least 1-2 weeks away from returning. The 30-year-old wasn't himself in the season opener, logging zero tackles on a 40% snap share. However, he posted a whopping 23 sacks last year in Cleveland, so we expect him to be a game wrecker once he's healthy again.
Source: Gary Klein
Source: Gary Klein
Los Angeles Rams Remain a Top-12 D/ST for Week 7 Despite Tough Matchup
The Los Angeles Rams D/ST should continue to be started in most fantasy football leagues. The Rams have one of the league's most talented defenses on paper, even with Myles Garrett (knee) on injured reserve. This is a balanced unit that can win against the run or the pass in any given matchup, which should give them a boost against a Las Vegas Raiders offense that has been surging lately. To its credit, the Raiders are enjoying a remarkable turnaround under Kirk Cousins, as Vegas has surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to D/ST units this season. Based on fantasy points per game, defenses are having more trouble against the Raiders than against a team like the Bills. Still, this Los Angeles defense is talented, well-coached, and capable of forcing several turnovers. We wouldn't pivot away from them in fantasy matchups, even against the Raiders. They rank #11 among D/ST units in RotoBaller's Week 7 fantasy football rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rams Not Expected to Open Myles Garrett's Practice Window in Week 6
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett (knee) is unlikely to have his practice window opened next week, head coach Sean McVay told Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times. A player like Garrett is eligible to return from injured reserve after a minimum of four games, but teams can first choose to open a 21-day window that allows the player to practice like normal without counting toward the 53-man roster. Garrett's fourth game missed will be on Sunday, so the Rams could choose to have Garrett practice ahead of Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals. However, McVay's latest comments seem to suggest that the 30-year-old defensive superstar isn't quite ready to resume practicing, which means he'll remain on IR without a practice window for at least another week. Los Angeles certainly won't rush Garrett back before he's ready, but they'd also love to have their prized offseason acquisition healthy and on the field. After all, he had an elite 2025 season with 23 sacks and three forced fumbles. That level of production could pay dividends for the Rams in a competitive division that features the Sam Darnold-led Seahawks and the undefeated Brock Purdy-led 49ers.
Source: Gary Klein
Source: Gary Klein
Aaron Donald Feels "Great," Plans to Play in Week 5
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (back) told Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times that he feels "great" and plans to play in Monday night's Week 5 contest against the Buffalo Bills. "I don't feel like my wind's off," he said. "I don't feel like I'll be out there exhausted. I think the way we're able to rotate helps me a lot." Donald, who came out of retirement to sign a one-year deal with the Rams this past summer, has played in two of the Rams' four games so far. He has four tackles but is still searching for his first sack of the 2026 campaign. Even at 35 years old, Donald is one of the most powerful defensive linemen in football, and his presence could be key as the Rams look to slow down the two-pronged rushing attack of Josh Allen and James Cook III.
Source: Gary Klein
Source: Gary Klein
Myles Garrett Faces a Six-Week Timeline to Return After Surgery
Los Angeles Rams superstar defensive end Myles Garrett (knee) faces a six-week timeline for his recovery after undergoing knee surgery earlier this month, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Garrett made his Rams debut back in Week 1 against the 49ers, but he was clearly playing injured, and it didn't take long for the team to place him on injured reserve. Now, it looks like he'll miss more than the minimum four games, as surgery will sideline him through at least the end of October. Losing Garrett, who had 23 sacks and three forced fumbles last season, is a crushing loss for the Rams, but their defense is equipped to handle his extended absence and continue to play well in the meantime. The Rams D/ST ranks 12th in fantasy scoring this year and will be a must-start unit once Garrett does get back in action.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Los Angeles Rams Defense a Borderline Fantasy Option for Week 3
The Los Angeles Rams D/ST is coming off a dominant performance against the New York Giants, but their ceiling and floor are dropping as they prepare for a much tougher Week 3 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Los Angeles had two sacks, allowed six points, and intercepted one pass on Monday against the Giants and Jameis Winston. Now, they'll face off against a Bo Nix-led Broncos offense that dropped 392 yards and 20 points on the Jaguars last week. A full-strength Rams defense might be better equipped to handle this matchup, but for now, they remain shorthanded without Myles Garrett (knee). This is still one of the NFL's better defenses on paper, but the unit sans Garrett might have trouble completely shutting down the Broncos. The Rams D/ST ranks #11 in RotoBaller's Week 3 fantasy rankings, which means managers should feel fine about inserting them into lineups, but there could be better options on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rams Defense Down Their Best Player Against Surging Giants Offense
The Los Angeles Rams entered this season as one of the top D/ST options in fantasy football, but they have quickly fallen out of must-start territory. Between an ugly Week 1 showing against the 49ers and superstar Myles Garrett (knee) landing on injured reserve, the Rams' defense is no longer a lethal force heading into Week 2 against the New York Giants. The unit remains a fringe top-10 option for Week 2, so they're probably still worth starting since it doesn't make sense to drop them, nor does it make sense to add a different D/ST for just one game. With that said, managers will need to temper expectations as this Garrett-less offense goes up against Jaxson Dart and the Giants. The good news for Los Angeles is that Aaron Donald will be active for his first game since coming out of retirement in August.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Myles Garrett Admits That He's Not 100 Percent
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett (knee) admitted that he's playing at less than 100 percent, according to Greg Beacham of The Associated Press. Garrett dealt with a knee injury in camp after being traded from the Browns to the Rams. While he was healthy enough to play in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers, the injury is still lingering. Garrett didn't register a single tackle on Thursday, so it makes sense to find out that he's still dealing with an injury. "This was the worst version of myself that I've put out there, and I've got to be better," Garrett said after the game. Once he gets healthy, he'll look to return to the elite level at which he played in 2025, when he amassed 23 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Source: Greg Beacham
Source: Greg Beacham
Rams D/ST Still a Top Fantasy Option Despite Veteran's Absence
The Los Angeles Rams D/ST enters Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers as a high-end fantasy football unit. A divisional matchup against the 49ers is never easy, but the Rams have so much talent on defense that they should deliver spectacular fantasy contributions regardless of the matchup. This unit finished eighth in fantasy points last year, and that was before they traded for future Hall of Fame defender Myles Garrett. Garrett is presumably the early favorite to lead the NFL in sacks, and he could help the Rams finish the 2026 season as the top-scoring defense in fantasy football. The rich got even richer this offseason as Los Angeles also lured Aaron Donald out of retirement, but he'll be inactive for the season opener. Even with Donald sidelined, this Garrett-led defense is locked and loaded as a top-three fantasy option for Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Donald Returns to the Rams on a One-Year Deal
The Los Angeles Rams have signed defensive tackle Aaron Donald to a one-year deal worth $20 million, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. The deal could pay him up to $30 million with potential incentives. Donald is coming out of retirement and will return to the team where he played 10 seasons from 2014 to 2023. During his first stint in Los Angeles, he tallied 111 sacks and 24 forced fumbles. He made the Pro Bowl in all 10 seasons, was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2014, won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and was an eight-time First Team All-Pro. One of the greatest defensive players of this century, Donald will join forces with fellow superstar Myles Garrett, who was traded from the Browns to the Rams this past offseason. All of a sudden, the Rams D/ST is back to being the #1 unit in fantasy football.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Myles Garrett Misses Practice on Monday
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett (knee) did not practice on Monday, according to Stu Jackson of the team's official website. The extent of Garrett's injury is unknown, but head coach Sean McVay did say that the star defender is "doing good." The 30-year-old was traded from the Browns to the Rams during the offseason, offering a major boost to Los Angeles' Super Bowl-caliber roster. Last year in Cleveland, he amassed 60 tackles, three forced fumbles, and a career-high 23 sacks. He was the top-scoring defensive lineman in fantasy football, in addition to setting a new NFL single-season sack record. Fortunately, it doesn't sound like Garrett's injury is too serious, so he should be able to play in the Rams' season opener Sept. 10 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Source: Stu Jackson
Source: Stu Jackson
Aaron Donald Works Out for the Rams Again on Sunday
Retired defensive tackle Aaron Donald worked out for the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, according to the NFL's transaction log (via Mike Garafolo of NFL.com). Donald, who is retired, previously worked out for the Rams on August 5 to see how he felt with pads on. It's unclear exactly why the Rams brought him for a second workout less than two weeks later, but there's evidently strong mutual interest in a reunion between the two sides. Donald spent his entire NFL career with the Rams from 2014 to 2023. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his 10 seasons, was an eight-time First Team All-Pro, won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2014, and took home Defensive Player of the Year honors three different times. He still had a lot left in the tank when he retired after the 2023 season, during which he amassed 53 tackles, eight sacks, 23 quarterback hits, and 16 tackles for a loss. Despite taking two years off, we'd imagine Donald is still capable of playing quality football as a starting defensive tackle for the Super Bowl-hopeful Rams. It will be interesting to see if a deal comes to fruition in the coming days, especially now that the 35-year-old has worked out for his old team twice.
Source: Mike Garafolo
Source: Mike Garafolo
