Aaron Donald is keeping his lips tighter than a sealed drum, refusing to say if he’ll even get on the flight to Australia for the Rams’ season opener. We’re talking about a game that’s literally days away, a Thursday night showdown in Melbourne, and the team is scheduled to fly out on Tuesday night. This isn’t just a player being quiet, this is a 35-year-old superstar, who hasn’t played football in two years, leaving everyone guessing about his presence on the field. What gives?
“Feeling Good,” But Not Good Enough to Commit?
Donald sounds positive, which is wild given his silence. He told Nick Hamilton of NBCLA, he’s “taking it day by day” and working on a “game plan.” But then he goes on about “feeling good, feeling really good.” He even claims “things are clicking faster than I thought it would be,” even in 11-on-11 drills, which he’s already started. He admits there’s a “couple of plays a little rusty” and it “ain’t where I want it to be,” but insists it’s “pretty damn good if you ask me.” The kicker? He says “it’s really no dropoff” despite two years away from the game. He sees things he wants to “clean up,” but believes “the more reps I do, the more I play, it’ll get there.”
So, you’re “feeling really good,” you’re “clicking faster than you thought,” and there’s “no dropoff,” but you won’t commit to playing or even flying? That’s the tension right there. On Monday, he took a planned recovery day, focusing on cardio and weights. It’s smart, especially for a veteran like him, but it just adds to the mystery. If he’s so ready, why the radio silence?
Shanahan Expects Him, But Silence Speaks Volumes
Rams coach Kyle Shanahan clearly expects Donald to be out there on Thursday night, which is what any coach would say, right? But defensive coordinator Chris Shula, like Donald, also declined to reveal his plans earlier Monday. This isn’t just Donald being coy; it’s a coordinated silence from the team’s defensive leadership. This isn’t just some camp battle; it’s the season opener, a long trip, and a massive question mark hanging over one of the league’s most dominant defensive players.
The team leaves for Melbourne on Tuesday night. That means Donald literally has hours to decide if he’s even getting on that plane, let alone suiting up. This is a massive game to kick off the season. Will we see the Aaron Donald who says he feels “really good” and has “no dropoff,” or will his silence continue right up to kickoff? The clock is ticking, and we’re all waiting to see if he shows up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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