Commanders offensive line preparing for challenge from Rams defensive front

ASHBURN, Va. — The Los Angeles Rams ' defensive line can be a massive challenge for opposing offensive lines.

And that's without Myles Garrett.

The star defensive end returned to practice this week and looks on track to return after missing the past seven games with an injury. Against a talented front, the Commanders ' offensive line will have their hands full in trying to slow down Los Angeles' pass rush.

“They’ve got a lot of really good defensive linemen,” Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough said.

"(Byron Young) rushing the quarterback at an elite rate, (Garrett) back on the field, he’s a premium player. There’s a lot of really good rushers and give credit to their coaching staff too. They don’t just allow you to always double=team Aaron Donald. So, we’re gonna have to be really intentional with our protection plan, to handle what they do up front and it’s a great challenge, man. They do a really good job.”

Even absent Garrett, with Donald drawing attention in the middle, Young has been able to flourish. He's got 4 1/2 sacks this season.

“When you allocate resources to one elite premium player, he’s gonna get a one-on-one matchup," Blough said. "We gotta be able to win on the perimeter. And he’s elite pass rusher, really good bull rush in this league and we gotta be ready for him.”

While Young provides a challenge on the edge, Donald, who doesn't have a sack this season, still can have a massive impact on how an opposing offense operates with an interior rush.

“He’s got a couple superpowers,” Commanders center Lucas Patrick said. “It’s his get-off, his play strength. I think one of the things that’s underrated about him is how he plays in-between the trenches in that battle, and how physical and tough he is. But he’s also very smart. It’s different when you get a guy that takes his own liberties and just kind of plays outside the scheme."

Garrett's impending return, at any point, should boost a Rams team that is looking to start a run toward the postseason.

“It’s exciting," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "It’s great to be able to get him back out there. I think what we’ve said, just trying to stay in the moment, one day at a time. It’ll be good to be able to get him out there and get a good practice load, see how he feels, see how he responds. He’s been doing a lot of good stuff on his own and some of the drill work and then obviously with the rehab. We are certainly excited to get him back out there.”