By Ben Gale

September 24, 2026 • 6:10 AM EDT

Updated 9 seconds ago

Myles Garrett Ruled Out: Why This Rams Injury Matters for Sunday Bettors

Myles Garrett, the Los Angeles Rams’ newly acquired pass rush anchor, has been ruled out with a knee injury for Sunday’s primetime game in Denver. This is not a minor setback, Garrett was the Rams’ defining offseason addition, and his absence tilts the fulcrum of this matchup.

BDL data confirms the impact: Garrett to IR strips the Rams of a player with 16 sacks last season and leaves Aaron Donald, just back from retirement, carrying the full defensive line spotlight. Donald is a future Hall of Famer, but he’s not game-shape and has publicly acknowledged he’s working on a limited snap count.

The numbers are clear: taking Garrett away from an elite front drops a projected defense about 1-1.5 points against the spread. Denver now faces pressure primarily up the middle, with fewer threats coming off the edge. Their offensive line isn’t 100%, but last season’s 14-3 record and 401 points scored show they only need a window to break out. Sharps have already noticed, moving quickly on any Broncos line hanging near a pick or short dog.

This Injury Moves the Needle: Rams Overvalued If Books Don’t Adjust

Related: Sam Cosmi Sidelined Shakes the Washington Commanders Line Today: Seahawks ATS Value in Play

Here’s the opportunity: oddsmakers and the betting public often chase the big names. Garrett’s presence (before this news) was still priced into consensus models, and Donald’s return fuels the Rams’ reputation, never mind that he’s just off the couch and not yet his old self. If the line is slow to update, you’re getting free value by taking Denver plus points or the moneyline before it corrects.

The total is in play too. Removing an elite edge disruptor means Russell Wilson (or Bo Nix, if Denver flips quarterbacks) should have cleaner pockets and time to push the ball. Less turnover risk, fewer negative plays, and a Broncos offense primed for high-leverage drives all lean toward a makeable Over if the number doesn’t rise quickly. Watch for any lingering totals from earlier in the week.

• Myles Garrett ruled out with a knee injury: removes the Rams’ top pass rusher and shifts all attention to Aaron Donald.
• Aaron Donald is active, but just returning from retirement and on a stated snap count: limits his immediate impact and makes the Denver offensive line’s job simpler.
• Denver’s offense thrived last year with a 14-3 record and 401 points for: indicates they can handle a reduced pass rush even with O-line absences.
• Early sharps hit the Broncos’ side as soon as the injury broke: slow-moving books might still be offering value on Denver spreads and moneyline.
• The total could tick up slightly: less pass rush means more time for the quarterback and potentially more scoring drives from Denver.

If You Bet This Game Before Kickoff, Here’s the Edge

This is a classic shark move: spot the impact of a star defender’s absence before everyone else. Garrett’s out, Donald is ramping up, and the Rams lose their illusion of invulnerability up front. The Broncos are far from perfect, but that window is how you get a line at a premium. My read: as soon as books reprice, the edge shrinks. Act on the best available numbers, particularly if the market hasn’t moved a full point yet.

Back the Broncos with the points (if underdogs), or take the moneyline if the spread gets near a pick. Pair that with an Over lean (if the total hasn’t jumped) for a potential correlated payout. The updated Rams odds and our season-long track record are on the Los Angeles Rams picks page.

• Garrett’s out: Rams defensive ceiling lowered, Broncos’ offensive outlook boosted.
• Donald’s snaps matter: if he’s still limited by game day, the Over gets even stronger.
• Watch for line movement: edges disappear the longer you wait, especially on news-based bets.
• If the Rams are still getting a boost in the odds as if Garrett is playing, treat that as pure value on Denver.
• If the game total stays soft, consider the Over, especially with Denver looking more comfortable against diminished pass rush.

“You plan for every playmaker, but when one’s missing, strategy changes.”Bo Nix, Denver Broncos quarterback

This article was produced with AI assistance by Ben Gale, with editorial standards and betting methodology overseen by Richard Gale (senior gambling industry executive, ThePicks founder), and reviewed by the ThePicks editorial team. All statistics sourced from live BDL API data and verified source material. All betting opinions are those of ThePicks analysts.

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/bo-nix-broncos-offense-preparing-100000993.html

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