Aaron Donald Dominated Out for Rams vs. 49ers Season Opener

Aaron Donald won’t play when the Los Angeles Rams face the San Francisco 49ers within the 2026 NFL season opener in Melbourne, Australia.

Aaron Donald to Miss Rams’ Season Opener

Head coach Sean McVay confirmed that the star defensive deal with will keep dwelling because the Rams participate within the NFL’s first worldwide recreation in Australia.

The information is a significant letdown for Rams followers who’ve waited practically three years to see Donald again on an NFL discipline.

Donald ended his two-year retirement on August 30, signing a one-year contract with the Rams value as much as $20 million, TBL reported.

Instead of speeding him into motion, Los Angeles is giving Donald extra time to organize. He had solely 11 days to prepare after signing with the staff, and the lengthy journey to Australia added one other problem. The Rams determined that his return ought to be dealt with fastidiously.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported that Week 2 or Week 3 is now a extra seemingly goal for Donald’s first recreation.

The Rams even have robust depth at defensive deal with, giving the staff much less motive to push Donald into the lineup earlier than he’s prepared.

Myles Garrett Leads Rams’ Defense

Los Angeles has a number of gamers who can assist fill the function, together with Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Kobie Turner and veteran Poona Ford.

Garrett joined the Rams through the offseason commerce and is now a part of a protection that was anticipated to make Donald’s return much more thrilling.

McVay trusts the group to deal with the opener whereas Donald continues to work towards recreation form.

For a participant who spent greater than two years away from soccer, the Rams seem extra targeted on his full-season well being than getting him on the sector for one recreation. The timing of the opener additionally makes the choice simpler to grasp. According to BolaVIP, the Rams traveled about 8,000 miles to Melbourne for the matchup with San Francisco.

Asking Donald to make that journey and play in his first recreation again may have positioned an excessive amount of stress on his comeback.

The Rams will return dwelling earlier than internet hosting the New York Giants on September 21 for Monday Night Football.