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Aaron Donald Plans Return to NFL in Rams' Home Opener
Confirmed
In Short: Aaron Donald, a future Hall of Fame defensive tackle, told reporters he plans to play in the Rams' home opener against the New York Giants on Monday night.
Aaron Donald, a future Hall of Fame defensive tackle, told reporters on Friday that he plans to play in the Rams' home opener against the New York Giants on Monday night.
Donald's return is significant as he retired in March 2024 after a 10-season career and did not play in the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
While there were questions about his readiness, Donald has been practicing and feels prepared for the game.
I don’t know, I ain’t really think about that,' Donald said when asked what it will feel like to run out on the field at SoFi Stadium again.
Donald's return could be a game-changer for the Rams, who were clobbered by the San Francisco 49ers in their season opener in Melbourne, Australia.
It’s always a day at a time,' Rams defensive coordinator Aaron Shula said of Donald, who practiced in full on Thursday and Friday.
Shula, like Rams coach Sean McVay, wouldn’t commit to Donald playing from a coach’s perspective.
The Giants, meanwhile, are preparing for Donald at his best, despite his two-year absence.
Donald's return could help the Rams erase the bitter taste of their season-opening loss and set the stage for a strong start to the season.
What this adds
Donald's return is unusual, as he is attempting to come back after a two-year retirement.
The Rams' decision to bring back Donald on a one-year deal highlights the team's belief in his potential impact.
Fans and analysts are excited about Donald's return, with many noting the potential for a strong performance despite his absence.
What's confirmed
- Future Hall Of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald told reporters on Friday that he plans to play Monday night.
What's still developing
- Can the Giants get the John Harbaugh Era off to a good start?
- The NY Giants get two potentially impactful pieces of news on Friday night.
- The New York Giants got a mixed bag of news with respect to their opponents on Monday Night Football.
- There has been some question as to how much Donald will be able to contribute in his first game back after two years of retirement.
- It’s a valid question, however the Giants should prepare for Donald at his best.
- Donald has always been an athletic freak as well as incredibly skilled.
- While he declined in the years before retiring, his decline was from “the best to ever do it” to merely “the best doing it right now.” On the flip side, Nacua and Whittington popping up on the injury report is a potential boon for the Giants.
- The Giants should prepare as though all the Rams’ players will be available and at full strength.
- 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.
- "Two practices, today, have another practice tomorrow, and then we’ll see, but feeling good.” Donald did not travel with the Rams to their season-opening loss in Melbourne, Australia, choosing to stay back in Southern California to focus on his ramp-up process prior to making his season debut.
- 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.