After spending time during training camp trying to manage Myles Garrett's knee injury, it was the Los Angeles Rams' dismal season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers that made it evident to everyone that the star defensive end required surgery.

Garrett registered neither a tackle nor a sack despite being on the field for 61.5% of the defensive snaps in the Rams’ 27-7 defeat in Melbourne, Australia.

Coach Sean McVay said Monday that conversations with Garrett immediately after the game last Thursday made it evident that he could not continue without undergoing an operation.

The Rams could soon receive some reinforcement on the defensive line, though it remains uncertain when Aaron Donald will be ready to play.

"We had been cognizant of this, believing it (Garrett's knee) was something he would be capable of working through," McVay said.

"Evidently, being out there and playing in an actual game, you come to realize, 'Hey, perhaps that isn't the case.

So let's alter our approach with that.'"

McVay had no updated timeline for Garrett's recovery beyond the four-game minimum that comes with being placed on injured reserve, pending the results of the procedure.

Garrett was absent for most of training camp due to what was described as swelling in his knee, but McVay has not elaborated on the exact nature of the injury.

In June, the Rams acquired the reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year from the Cleveland Browns in a blockbuster trade for pass rusher Jared Verse and three draft picks, aware that Garrett's workload had been carefully managed in recent seasons.

That was acceptable to McVay, who has often limited practice time for veteran players to maximize their game-day performance.

"The reality is that our responsibility is to position our players and our team in such a way that they are set up for successful outcomes.

I thought we would adopt an approach whereby he would be feeling sufficiently good to go out and contribute positive change and be the player that he is capable of being.

That was not the case, and so the next right thing for us is to be able to get this thing fixed," McVay said.

Garrett gave no indication that he was physically compromised prior to the game, having termed himself “ready” last Tuesday.

“I think I can go out there and do what I know I can do,” he said.

At that press conference, Garrett embraced the high expectations that came with his joining the Rams, stating that his goals for the season were to win the Super Bowl and to be named AP Defensive Player of the Year once again.

It was the addition of Garrett that accelerated the notion of the Rams as a super team, partly because his presence helped lure Donald out of retirement last month.

McVay said that Garrett’s absence would have no bearing on when the standout defensive tackle returns to the field.

Donald, a three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year, did not accompany the team to Australia as he continues his efforts to regain playing form after two seasons away from football.

McVay indicated that it was premature to determine whether Donald would feature in the Rams’ home opener against the New York Giants next Monday.

"He will persist in working his process, and we shall see what that looks like," McVay said.

For comprehensive coverage of the NFL by the Associated Press, please refer to the link provided here.