Alright, so get this: Aaron Donald, the future Hall of Famer who signed with the Los Angeles Rams, isn’t making the trip for Week 1. Yeah, you heard that right. After Sean McVay told reporters last week that Donald *would* be traveling with the team, implying he’d play with fewer than ten practices under his belt, reality slammed hard. McVay just confirmed today that Donald won’t be with the squad. This is a shocker, especially considering the hype around his comeback.
The Donald Decision: When Reality Hits Hard
Honestly, the writing was on the wall for Donald. He hasn’t played a snap since 2023, and at 35 years old, sitting out training camp didn’t exactly scream “ready to dominate Week 1.” The odds of him even suiting up were slim from the jump. McVay’s comments last week had everyone thinking Donald would somehow pull off a miracle, flying across the world to Australia for the opener after minimal practice time. But today, McVay made the smart call. Think about it: the mental and physical toll of coming back after a long layoff, combined with a brutal international trip for Week 1? That’s asking for trouble. It’s totally understandable why the Rams decided to give Donald more time to ramp up. The San Francisco 49ers’ left guard, whoever it is, just dodged a bullet, avoiding Donald when he’d be trying to prove himself. That’s a huge boost for Brock Purdy’s pocket integrity, no question.
Kittle Is Ready, But Garrett Is Still A Monster Threat
While the 49ers catch a break with Donald out, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for them. Let’s talk about George Kittle first. Klay Kubiak, the 49ers offensive coordinator, sounds pretty confident. He said Kittle is “practicing full speed” and “getting a ton of reps.” Sounds like they’re in “good shape,” which is great news for Purdy, who needs his star tight end. An extra week of practice for Kittle might have been the difference maker for his ramp-up, avoiding the kind of delay Donald is facing. But here’s the kicker: Myles Garrett is ready to go. McVay confirmed it. As much of a gift as Donald’s absence is, the Niners still have to deal with the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, fresh off a ridiculous 23-sack season. Garrett had some swelling in his left knee during training camp and preseason, which limited his action. You gotta wonder if the Rams were playing some serious gamesmanship there, similar to how the 49ers handled Nick Bosa, knowing how vital Garrett is. I mean, there’s video of Garrett working on hitting more violently. That doesn’t sound like a guy who’s slowing down.
So, Week 1 is still going to be a battle. The 49ers get a huge break with Donald’s absence, but they can’t afford to relax. Myles Garrett is an absolute force, and he’s going to be gunning for Purdy. Get ready for some fireworks, Seattle.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
Leave a Reply