NFL insider Ian Rapoport provided an update on Aaron Donald’s status, noting that Donald still needs to regain football shape. While the hope is that he will be available for a Monday night showdown against the New York Giants, the decision ultimately rests with Donald and his conditioning progress.
Donald did not play in Week 1, a 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. He did not even travel to Australia, acknowledging that he was rusty after his first 11-on-11 drills since returning from retirement in 2024.
The Rams now rely on Donald more than ever as Myles Garrett has moved to injured reserve.
Rams head coach Sean McVay has emphasized that Donald will not be rushed back. During a recent appearance on The Coach McVay Show, McVay again highlighted Donald’s leadership and its impact on the team’s culture.
“This guy is all about the right kind of stuff. He set the foundation for what our culture and a lot of the great things that have gone on the last handful of years are contingent upon. And so, it’s going to be his timeline. I know this: this guy works his tail off to put himself in a position to be great. A lot of people have seen that on display throughout the 10 years that he did play, and that’s what we’ve seen in a short amount of time with him coming back,” McVay said.
The coach also noted that extra days of preparation could help Donald fine-tune his rhythm, routine, and readiness, allowing him to get additional reps as the week progresses.
Asked whether Donald’s practice performance resembles his peak days, McVay said it does. He praised Donald’s competitive nature, leadership, and consistency, describing him as a player who leads by example and demands high standards from himself and others.
Donald’s return remains a developing storyline as the Rams balance the need for immediate contributions with the long-term health and readiness of their star defensive lineman.
