Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is “obviously chomping at the bit” to play in the team’s Week 2 matchup against the New York Giants, according to head coach Sean McVay. McVay told ESPN’s Sarah Barshop that the hope is Donald will get “some good work today and tomorrow” and if he feels good enough, the team will be “excited to see him [on MNF].” This isn’t just a hopeful quote, it’s a desperate plea after what went down in Week 1.
The Rams Defense Is In Serious Trouble Right Now
Let’s be real, that Week 1 showing against the 49ers in Australia was rough. The Rams took a 27-7 L, and their defense was nowhere to be found. They didn’t even get a single sack on Brock Purdy, which is just wild. And it wasn’t just the pass rush that was missing in action. San Francisco ran all over them, racking up 174 rush yards and averaging a brutal 5.8 yards per carry. It’s clear as day that even with what was considered an imposing front seven before the season started, this team desperately needs help along their defensive line. The situation got even tougher when offseason addition Myles Garrett, who didn’t even record a tackle or sack in his Rams debut, landed on injured reserve for at least four games after arthroscopic knee surgery. Ouch.
Donald’s Return Comes Not a Moment Too Soon
Donald came out of retirement to join the Rams for the 2026 season, but he wasn’t with them for that Week 1 debacle. This guy is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, for crying out loud. He’s been a full participant in practice this week, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the “hope” is he suits up Monday. Even though he’s been away from the NFL since his 2023 campaign, it’s not hard to picture him coming back and making a huge impact immediately. We’re talking about a guy who, in his last full season in 2023, put up 53 tackles, 23 quarterback hits, 16 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and three passes defended in 16 games. The Rams are going to need every bit of that, especially since they’re facing a Giants offensive line that allowed a mere two sacks in their own 28-20 Week 1 win over the Cowboys.
The Rams and Giants kick off Monday at 8:15 p.m. ET. For Los Angeles, this isn’t just another game. This is about seeing if Aaron Donald can single-handedly inject life back into a defense that looked completely lost just a week ago.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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