Donald told reporters on Friday that the plan is for him to play on Monday night, adding, “I’m feeling really good. I feel a lot better now that I got more practice under my belt… I’m getting in the groove of things, playing a lot more free, a lot more loose and looking more like myself to me.”
The timing could not be more crucial for a Rams defense that was humbled in Week 1, losing 49‑0 to the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, while star edge rusher Myles Garrett finished the game without a tackle, sack or quarterback hit and subsequently underwent knee surgery that will sideline him for at least four weeks.
Teammates expressed excitement at Donald’s imminent return. Rookie defensive end Byron Young said, “Watching him in practice, he hasn’t missed a step… Losing Myles, that’s a big piece that we lost. And now Aaron is supposed to be coming back this week. I’m very excited about that.” Fellow rookie Kobie Turner added, “AD is AD. You guys will see it on Monday.”
Rams safety Trent McDuffie predicted a loud reaction from the SoFi Stadium crowd when Donald emerges from the tunnel, while Young warned, “It’s going to be crazy. It’s going to be chaos.”
Donald retired after the 2023 season and spent two years away from football before shocking the league with a comeback announcement at the end of August. His return not only restores a Hall‑of‑Fame caliber pass‑rusher but also gives the coaching staff greater schematic flexibility on the edge, a need amplified by Garrett’s absence.
If Donald can replicate his pre‑retirement production, the Rams could see a significant boost to their pass rush and overall defensive morale, a welcome lift after a demoralizing start to the season.