LOS ANGELES -- Rams defensive end Myles Garrett is dealing with some swelling in his knee and did not take part in the team's joint practice Tuesday against the Dallas Cowboys.
It was the second consecutive practice that Garrett missed. The Rams also were without Puka Nacua for a portion of practice after the star wide receiver left early.
Rams head coach Sean McVay said he didn't know what Nacua was dealing with but that he "was not able to finish practice."
McVay revealed last week that Garrett is dealing with "a little soreness in his lower half," but said he wasn't worried about the star pass rusher.
McVay reiterated that lack of concern Tuesday, saying Garrett hasn't had any setbacks. McVay said he didn't know which knee the swelling was in. Garrett was wearing a sleeve on his left leg.
"He's still got a little swelling in that knee, but he said, 'I'm feeling about 85%,'" McVay said. "I don't know what 100% is going to look like, but it must be pretty good if that's 85%. ... We're getting to learn him. He's so tough. He wanted to be able to be out there, but listening to [senior vice president of sports medicine and performance] Reggie [Scott] and just kind of erring on the side of caution.
"When he's been out there, he has certainly made his impact felt, but we want to make sure that when he returns to play, he's able to return to full performance and feel like himself."
McVay said "there's nothing to be concerned about," and that the Rams are trying to figure out the "best way to ultimately get [Garrett] ready to be able to peak when we start in Australia."
Garrett, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, led the league with 23 sacks last season, breaking the NFL's single-season record. He spent his first nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns before the Rams traded for him in June.
