Are Myles Garrett And Aaron Donald About To Create The NFL's Most Feared Pass-Rushing Duo?

Myles Garrett is set to return for the Los Angeles Rams against the Washington Commanders© Image via: X/@NFL_DovKleiman

Seven games. Seven long weeks of watching from the sideline. Now Myles Garrett is set to pull on a Los Angeles Rams jersey again, and the timing could not be better for a team sitting at 4-4. The pass rusher expects to face the Washington Commanders on Sunday, barring a late setback, and he will line up next to Aaron Donald for the very first time. Fans waited all summer for this pairing. Offensive coordinators across the league have waited, too, and probably with less joy. Here is what his return means for Los Angeles.

Why Myles Garrett's Knee Recovery Matters For The Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles did not make this trade quietly. The Rams sent Jared Verse and three draft picks, including a 2027 first-rounder, to the Cleveland Browns for a pass rusher who set the single-season sack record with 23 in 2025. That is a steep price. Paying it and then watching from the sideline made the wait harder.

Garrett played the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne and finished without a tackle. His knee had bothered him since late training camp, and he says no single play caused it. Arthroscopic surgery followed in mid-September. He described how it felt on the field.

"There were just some hitches in my gait," Garrett said. "There were just things I was dealing with mechanically that just only continued to evolve, or I guess worsen, as I played more throughout that game."

Look at Chloe Kim's dad's reaction when her and Myles Garrett kiss  https://t.co/jdfDZUZh4A

— Kaden (@PlayoffKaden) December 16, 2025

Coach Sean McVay sounds relieved. "I'm just grateful that he's back and that he's feeling really good," McVay said. He also admitted the staff will study whether surgery should have come sooner. "You always want to reflect back on what we would do differently," McVay said.

What Aaron Donald And Myles Garrett Bring To The Washington Commanders Matchup

The Rams need the help. They are tied for 26th in the NFL with 12 sacks, and edge rusher Byron Young leads the roster with 4.5. Pressure has come. Finishing has not.

Enter Aaron Donald. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year ended a 2 1/2-year retirement after the Garrett trade, yet he also missed the opener while he rebuilt his fitness. Sunday marks their first snap together. Garrett likes the math.

"I think offenses really have to pick their poison," Garrett said with a smile. "Who's going to be freed up on this play? And I think either of us are pretty good at winning one-on-ones, so we're going to have some fun."

Expect a careful rollout, though. McVay says the team is still deciding how many snaps Garrett will take against the Washington Commanders. The secondary also looks thin. Cornerback Jaylen Watson is out for the season, while cornerback Trent McDuffie and safety Kam Curl are questionable. Tight end Terrance Ferguson is out too.

Watch the first few third downs on Sunday. If Garrett and Donald collapse the pocket, the Rams' 4-4 record may start to look like a floor, not a ceiling.