Commanders tackles could face nightmare matchup as Rams prepare for potential Myles Garrett return
Myles Garrett is back at practice following knee surgery, and his possible return against Washington would present Brandon Coleman and Josh Conerly Jr. with a major challenge.
The Washington Commanders may be getting the worst possible addition to their opponent’s roster just days before facing the Los Angeles Rams.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Friday that star pass rusher Myles Garrett is on track to be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday’s matchup against Washington.
According to Garafolo, Garrett has practiced throughout the week, and indications point toward him playing after missing seven consecutive games following knee surgery.
The Rams haven’t officially activated Garrett yet, but the possibility alone creates a significant problem for Washington.
Commanders offensive tackles Brandon Coleman and Josh Conerly Jr. were already preparing for a difficult matchup. Now they may have to contend with one of the NFL’s most disruptive defensive players.
For a Washington team trying to build on last week’s win over Philadelphia, the timing couldn’t be much worse.
What Garrett’s return means for the Rams’ pass rush
The Rams’ pass rush has been staggeringly poor without Garrett. Los Angeles is averaging just 1.5 sacks per game. That’s a defense that has been surviving, not imposing its will on anybody.
Now add the player widely recognized as the best pass rusher in the league. Garrett doesn’t nudge a defense in the right direction. He flips it. Offensive coordinators have to build an entire plan around where he lines up on every snap, & that ripples into everything else. The quiet rushers on the other side suddenly start winning one-on-ones because nobody is paying attention to them.
That 1.5 sacks per game number is the one Washington was probably circling on film this week. Garrett’s return makes it close to useless as a scouting reference.
Garrett’s return could create an even bigger problem alongside Aaron Donald
As dangerous as Garrett is individually, the possibility of pairing him with Aaron Donald makes the matchup even more concerning for Washington.
Donald returned to Los Angeles this season, but Garrett’s knee injury has prevented the two stars from playing together.
Sunday could finally change that.
Washington’s offensive line would then have to account for elite pressure from both the edge and the interior.
That complicates the protection plan considerably. Sending additional help toward Garrett can create opportunities elsewhere, particularly for a player with Donald’s ability to disrupt the pocket.
For Brandon Coleman, Josh Conerly Jr. and the rest of Washington’s offensive line, communication and execution will be critical.
Bad timing for Washington
The timing stings. Washington just beat Philadelphia, which was a genuine jolt of life for a team that still sits in the basement of the NFC East.
Instead, the Commanders now have to overcome a stronger opponent than they planned for. The Rams were already a tougher test, and they’re now expected to get back one of the best players in the NFL. Washington doesn’t get to build on the Eagles win against a softened-up defense. It gets the full version.
Brandon Coleman and Josh Conerly Jr. are on the spot
The biggest burden falls on the edges of the offensive line. Commanders tackles Brandon Coleman & Josh Conerly Jr. have a very tall task in front of them if Garrett is activated to play.
Washington doesn’t know yet whether Garrett will be activated, how many snaps he’ll play or whether he’ll immediately resemble the dominant pass rusher who set the NFL sack record last season.
But the Commanders can’t afford to prepare as though he won’t be there.
Coleman and Conerly Jr need to be ready for an extremely difficult assignment, and Washington’s coaching staff has to build a protection plan that doesn’t leave Jayden Daniels exposed to repeated one-on-one losses.
Quick throws, extra protection and a productive running game could all become essential.
The Commanders finally have a little momentum after beating Philadelphia.
Whether they can protect their quarterback against a potentially rejuvenated Rams pass rush may determine if that momentum lasts another week.
