The Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers announced on Monday that their star pass rushers, Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons, will return to practice this week following injuries that sidelined them earlier in the season.
Rams edge rusher Myles Garrett, who underwent knee surgery after the season opener, will practice this week as the team opens a 21-day roster return window, Rams coach Sean McVay said. McVay emphasized a cautious approach, stating, “I want to be careful to even set any sort of expectations. I think just taking it a day at a time is going to be the best way that we can approach it.” Garrett has been on injured reserve since the season’s first game and missed most of training camp due to a left knee issue. He played minimally in the Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, recording no tackles in a 27-7 defeat.
Meanwhile, Green Bay Packers linebacker Micah Parsons, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 15 of the 2025 campaign, is also set to return to practice this week, Packers coach Matt LaFleur confirmed. Parsons is targeting a return for the Packers’ Week 12 matchup against the Rams on November 27, though he is not expected to play immediately. Without Parsons, the Packers improved to 5-3 in the 2026 season, including a 27-19 primetime win over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday.
Rams face Commanders Sunday as Garrett’s return timeline remains uncertain
The Rams (4-4) will host the Washington Commanders (2-4-1) on Sunday in Landover, Maryland, with Garrett’s availability still undetermined. McVay reiterated that the team would proceed cautiously, prioritizing Garrett’s long-term health over an immediate return. Garrett, a five-time All-Pro and the NFL’s season-record holder with 23 sacks in 2024, was acquired by the Rams in June in a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns that sent edge rusher Jared Verse and future draft picks to Cleveland.
Parsons, who recorded 12.5 sacks in his first 14 games with the Packers last season, is expected to provide a significant defensive boost upon his return. The Packers’ Week 9 matchup against the New England Patriots kicks off at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Injury timelines and team strategies diverge
Both teams are managing their players’ returns with differing levels of urgency. The Rams have opened a 21-day roster window for Garrett, allowing for a potential return by mid-November if his recovery progresses as planned. McVay noted that tight end Terrance Ferguson, sidelined since October 2 with an ankle injury, may also return to practice this week, though no final decision has been made.
The Packers, meanwhile, are taking a more gradual approach with Parsons, who is not expected to play until at least Week 12. LaFleur’s comments suggest the team is prioritizing Parsons’ full recovery over rushing him back, despite the Packers’ current defensive needs. The Patriots game will mark the first competitive test for both teams since their respective injuries occurred.
Trade acquisition shapes Rams’ defensive outlook
Garrett’s trade to the Rams in June was one of the offseason’s most significant moves, as the team sought to bolster its pass rush after a disappointing 2024 season. The Browns received Jared Verse, a first-round draft pick, and future selections in exchange for Garrett, who had been a cornerstone of Cleveland’s defense. Garrett’s return to practice is seen as a critical step for the Rams’ defensive resurgence, though his exact role in Sunday’s game remains uncertain.
For the Packers, Parsons’ return could shift the balance of power in the NFC, particularly in their upcoming matchup against the Rams. The teams’ Week 12 clash will carry added significance as both players look to regain their elite form.
The Rams and Packers will continue to monitor their stars’ progress closely, with both franchises balancing short-term competitiveness against long-term player health.