As LA Rams ready for Colts, OLB Chris Garrett still quarantined

Being a rookie on a successful team comes with a set of unique challenges. But for the LA Rams rookie outside linebacker, Chris Garrett, his preseason performance has opened the door to him and his potential contribution rotating among the veteran edge players. A door opened, but the positive test of COVID-19 has shut and locked for now.

Garrett has a very similar style on the outside as starter Justin Hollins. Perhaps that is not as much of a coincidence as you might think at first. After all, Garrett stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 245 pounds, which Hollins stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 248 pounds. It may be that, due to their similar builds, that they have embraced similar methods of scurrying past slow-moving offensive tackles in a quick-as-can-be trek to the quarterback.

Garrett showcased an amazing ability to take over a game in the heat of battle against the Las Vegas Raiders. So impressive was it, that it ensured that he would claim a spot on the LA Rams‘ 53-man roster. But having a roster spot, as few as they are, comes with it an implied need to contribute and help the team. Whether that be on offense, defense, or special teams, the Rams need a bit of something from everyone.

Garrett knows all of this, and he is waiting to be medically cleared to join his teammates. The problem is, even if Garrett is cleared today, he wouldn’t be ready to face the Week 2 opponent, the Indianapolis Colts. In fact, he’s already pushing the limits of participating in the Week 3 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Getting to an NFL roster is just one landmark for any successful NFL career. For Chris Garrett to realize that career, he needs to get off quarantine, step onto a football field, and make the type of outstanding pass rushes that earned him the roster spot in the first place. The Rams have a shortage of healthy pass rushers early in the season, so short that the team had to activate OLB Justin Lawler for the first game, and may need to do so again for Week 2. A healthy Chris Garrett is just what this defense needs. Let’s hope he returns soon.