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Rams' Aaron Donald Out for Week 5 Due to Back Soreness
Confirmed
In Short: Rams coach Sean McVay said star defensive lineman Aaron Donald is out for Sunday's game against the Eagles due to back soreness.
Rams coach Sean McVay announced Friday that star defensive lineman Aaron Donald will not play in Week 5 against the Philadelphia Eagles due to back soreness.
McVay noted that Donald, 35, has not practiced this week following the Rams' loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
He’s as tough as it gets. Just not feeling good enough," McVay said, adding, "He would do it and he could probably go be productive but part of our job is to protect these tough dudes like him from themselves.
McVay expressed optimism about Donald's recovery, saying, "He’s working as hard as he can to get himself feeling as good as possible and we’re hopeful and optimistic that good days are ahead."
In contrast, wide receiver Puka Nacua will play against the Eagles. McVay said Nacua has been “strong, looks sturdy, looks explosive,” during practice this week.
"I think it will really just be a feel for the overall conditioning," McVay said, adding that he hopes “the magic of the [game] jersey” will help Nacua have a productive game against the Eagles.
Tight end Terrance Ferguson (ankle) and cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder) will also not play on Sunday.
McVay said the Rams “weren’t thinking” about making a change when special teams coordinator Joe Ventrone spoke to reporters Thursday.
"As you get a chance to kind of take a step back, evaluate the totality of our group, what’s the best way to try to be able to put together all three phases, did feel like that was in the best interest of the group," McVay said.
Donald, a three-time defensive player of the year, has played in only two games since ending a two-year retirement in late August.
"We need to do a better job of tracking the ball, judging the ball, fielding the ball when necessary, not fielding it in other situations," Ventrone told reporters.
What this adds
Donald has played 54 percent of Los Angeles’ defensive snaps across two games this season.
The team is hopeful that Donald will return for the Week 6 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
What's confirmed
- Rams coach Sean McVay announced Friday that star defensive lineman Aaron Donald will not play in Week 5 against the Philadelphia Eagles due to back soreness.
- McVay noted that Donald, 35, has not practiced this week following the Rams' loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
- He’s as tough as it gets. Just not feeling good enough," McVay said, adding, "He would do it and he could probably go be productive but part of our job is to protect these tough dudes like him from themselves.
- In contrast, wide receiver Puka Nacua will play against the Eagles. McVay said Nacua has been “strong, looks sturdy, looks explosive,” during practice this week.
- "I think it will really just be a feel for the overall conditioning," McVay said, adding that he hopes “the magic of the [game] jersey” will help Nacua have a productive game against the Eagles.
- Tight end Terrance Ferguson (ankle) and cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder) will also not play on Sunday.
- McVay said the Rams “weren’t thinking” about making a change when special teams coordinator Joe Ventrone spoke to reporters Thursday.
- "As you get a chance to kind of take a step back, evaluate the totality of our group, what’s the best way to try to be able to put together all three phases, did feel like that was in the best interest of the group," McVay said.
- Donald, a three-time defensive player of the year, has played in only two games since ending a two-year retirement in late August.
- "We need to do a better job of tracking the ball, judging the ball, fielding the ball when necessary, not fielding it in other situations," Ventrone told reporters.
What's still developing
- Tony Romo and CBS Sports have “mutually agreed to part ways,” weeks after the former Cowboys quarterback was found guilty of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
- “That’s the direction it looks like it’s trending in,” McVay said, via Stu Jackson of the team’s website.
- “That's the hope," McVay said, via ESPN's Adam Schefter.
- Rams coach Sean McVay shared on Monday that the "hope" is for Donald to return to practice this week and be ready for next Monday night's game versus the Buffalo Bills.
- "I don’t want to pigeonhole, but yeah, that’s the direction that it looks like it’s trending in.” This is an encouraging update for Donald.
- Fowler called Donald the “big question mark” amid updates on fellow Rams stars Puka Nacua and Myles Garrett, both of whom are dealing with injuries.
- “They just acquired him signed him last week,” Fowler said on “ SportsCenter ” on September 6.
- “To kind of be honest with you, I kind of been in a football mindset the last 14 weeks, grinding and things. If anything, it’s just getting back on a grass and knocking a rust off as far as playing football. Getting 11-on-11. Working my eyes. Getting a feel for the game, certain reaction things that made me who I am. So you know I put myself in the best position the best way I can with training to get to where I’m at now now, and the only thing I can do now is play 11-on-11 and knock the rust off,” Donald told reporters on August 30.
- That is the unknown that the Los Angeles Rams have yet to declare in certain terms about Aaron Donald and his Week 1 status.