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Aaron Donald Plans Return for Rams' Home Opener
Confirmed
In Short: Donald's return is expected to provide a significant boost to the Rams' defense, which struggled in the season opener.
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald told reporters Friday that he plans to play in Los Angeles' Monday night contest against the New York Giants.
With Donald out and Myles Garrett dealing with a knee injury, the Rams suffered a 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in their season opener.
Donald, who retired after the 2023 season, did not travel to Australia for the Rams' season opener, choosing to stay in Southern California to focus on his ramp-up process.
When asked about his return, Donald said, 'I don’t know, I ain’t really think about that.' He added, 'Two practices, today, have another practice tomorrow, and then we’ll see, but feeling good.
The Rams' decision to hold Donald back was aimed at ensuring he was fully prepared for his return to NFL game action.
After spending two seasons away from football, Donald has been working to reacclimate himself to the speed and physicality of the game.
The Rams' home opener against the Giants carries added pressure, and Donald's return adds another storyline to the matchup.
Sources indicate that Donald will likely be suited up when the Rams face the 49ers again on December 13 at Levi's Stadium.
In his final season before retirement, Donald recorded eight sacks and 16 tackles for loss, earning his eighth career first-team All-Pro selection.
While expectations are high, the Rams are not demanding an immediate return to All-Pro production from Donald.
How close Donald comes to replicating his previous level of play will determine whether he elevates an already loaded defense to an otherworldly level.
What this adds
This report adds details on Donald's ramp-up process and the team's cautious approach to his return, as well as the impact his return could have on the Rams' defense.
Background
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald told reporters he plans to play Monday night against the New York Giants.
What's confirmed
- Defensive tackle Aaron Donald told reporters Friday that he plans to play in Los Angeles' Monday night contest against the New York Giants.
- With Donald out and Myles Garrett dealing with a knee injury, the Rams suffered a 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in their season opener.
- Donald, who retired after the 2023 season, did not travel to Australia for the Rams' season opener, choosing to stay in Southern California to focus on his ramp-up process.
- When asked about his return, Donald said, 'I don’t know, I ain’t really think about that.' He added, 'Two practices, today, have another practice tomorrow, and then we’ll see, but feeling good.
- The Rams' decision to hold Donald back was aimed at ensuring he was fully prepared for his return to NFL game action.
- After spending two seasons away from football, Donald has been working to reacclimate himself to the speed and physicality of the game.
- The Rams' home opener against the Giants carries added pressure, and Donald's return adds another storyline to the matchup.
- Sources indicate that Donald will likely be suited up when the Rams face the 49ers again on December 13 at Levi's Stadium.
- In his final season before retirement, Donald recorded eight sacks and 16 tackles for loss, earning his eighth career first-team All-Pro selection.
- While expectations are high, the Rams are not demanding an immediate return to All-Pro production from Donald.
- How close Donald comes to replicating his previous level of play will determine whether he elevates an already loaded defense to an otherworldly level.
What's still developing
- With Donald not in the picture and Garrett dealing with a knee injury that eventually required surgery and placement on injured reserve, the Rams were clobbered by the San Francisco 49ers, 27-7.
- The extra week of practice, however, appears to have positioned Donald to make his return in the same stadium he last called home.
- It was just one game, of course, and Donald valued his preparation for returning to NFL game action -- an environment he hasn't seen since he retired after the 2023 season -- more than rushing himself back to the field.
- After Los Angeles completed a blockbuster trade for Garrett on June 1, Donald spent the summer flirting with coming out of retirement to rejoin the Rams.
- Aaron Donald just revealed a massive update about his status for Rams vs Giants.
- Los Angeles ultimately suffered a 27-7 loss in Australia, making Donald’s potential return even more important as the team prepares for its home opener.
- After being dominated by the 49ers in their season opener, Los Angeles needs a response against the Giants, and bringing back one of the most accomplished defensive players of his generation would give the defense a major boost.
- "The Rams want to give Donald more time to ramp up before making his much-anticipated return after two seasons of retirement," Schefter wrote.
- After much speculation surrounding defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who put his retirement on hold to rejoin the Rams, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year will not travel with the team to Australia.
- Donald will not play for the Los Angeles Rams in their 2026 opener on Thursday against the San Francisco 49ers, coach Sean McVay announced Tuesday.
- Since he announced his return to football on Aug. 30, Donald has been in the midst of a ramp-up period that will now extend into at least Week 2.
- The longer Donald waits to make his season debut, the more likely it becomes that he is available deep into what could be a Super Bowl season.