Myles Garrett's Possible Return Poses Challenge for Commanders

The Washington Commanders are looking to now string together wins after taking down the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-10, to close out the slate of games on Sunday night. Yet they will now shift attention toward maybe their most daunting matchup of the first eight games when they host the Los Angeles Rams. It will also mark a test for the interior line with a key piece expected to return to practice for  this week.

Edge rusher Myles Garrett is expected to return to practice this week, marking another player for the Commanders' to gameplan for. It marks notable news given Garrett has been sidelined after undergoing arthroscopic surgery just weeks into the start of the regular season. After Garrett was traded to Los Angeles in a blockbuster trade in the closing weeks of the offseason, the future Hall of Famer was sidelined during training camp with knee irritation. Now, Garrett will look to make his first appearance since the week one loss against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia.

Garrett will team up with star defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who returned to the Rams this offseason after electing to come out of retirement following months of rumors. Donald has recorded 12 total tackles, including seven solo, across six games this season.

It marks arguably the biggest challenge yet for the Commanders' interior offensive line that has had an up and down start through the first half of the regular season. Washington has had to adjust to injuries --  and underperformances -- to the unit after star left tackle Laremy Tunsil was sidelined with a torn tricep that is expected to sideline him for the bulk of the regular season. Then, the failed experiment with Nick Allegretti as the full-time starting center forced the coaching staff into a midseason switch with Lucas Patrick since taking over after signing as a free agent.

While the offensive line will look to keep quarterback Jayden Daniels upright amid his hot start, the Commanders will also enter kickoff without a few key pieces, including Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw along the defensive line to test the unit's depth.

Washington will face Los Angeles for the first meeting since 2023 as the Commanders look to snap a two game slide against the Rams. The Commanders will also look to pick up their first win against the Rams in Washington since 2015. Kickoff is set for 1 PM at Northwest Stadium.