Chris Shula’s defense just took another hit, and the timing could hardly be worse.
What looked like a promising start for the Los Angeles Rams coordinator has quickly turned into a tougher assignment. After a rough Week 1 performance, the news that Myles Garrett is on injured reserve for at least the next four weeks puts Shula in an even deeper bind.
The job was already demanding. Now it’s a lot messier.
The Rams spent the offseason trying to shore up the defense after late-season issues, pouring resources into the secondary and pass rush. The front office also made sure key pieces such as Kam Curl and Quentin Lake were back for 2026, and even formerly retired Aaron Donald returned. That helped create the sense that this group could become one of the league’s most dangerous defenses.
Instead, the early picture has flipped.
The biggest problem showed up in the run defense. Los Angeles appeared to have cleaned that up last season, but Week 1 brought a harsh reminder that the issue may not be gone after all. The Rams gave up 174 rushing yards at 5.8 yards per carry against San Francisco, a number that stands out even more because the 49ers’ plan was obvious from the start: lean on the run game.
That was especially jarring after the Rams held San Francisco to 2.2 and 3.5 yards per carry in their two 2025 meetings.
Now Garrett’s absence leaves even more pressure on a pass-rush group that suddenly looks a lot thinner. The Rams will have to lean on Byron Young, Josaiah Stewart, Desjuan Johnson, and undrafted rookie Wesley Bailey. That’s a workable group, but it is not Garrett.
Stewart at least gave the Rams something to build on in Week 1, finishing with six tackles. But the pass rush only reached Brock Purdy once, and that came with defensive tackle Tyler Davis being flagged for roughing the passer. It was a rough way to mark the defense’s lone pressure of the day.
Shula does get a little extra time to sort things out before the next game, a Sept. 21 meeting with the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. Even so, with Garrett out, the run defense leaking yards, and plenty still unresolved, the Rams’ defensive outlook is suddenly much harder to read.
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For the Rams, the timing is awkward because run defense has already been a point of emphasis after a shaky showing in Week 1. Walker is no longer with the Seahawks, but he remains exactly the kind of downhill challenge that can expose lingering issues in a defense still trying to tighten up against the ground game. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Can't Let Their Week 1 Surprise Create A Bigger Problem
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For the Rams, the more immediate concern is what happens when a rough opener starts inviting bigger questions. Los Angeles drew scrutiny after a poor Week 1 performance, and the chatter around Myles Garrett has only added to the unease, with some league observers wondering about his fit and his readiness after he acknowledged he did not feel like his usual self in Australia. The Rams do not need the side issues becoming the story, but that is the pressure that comes with an early stumble. [Read more 🡒]