The Los Angeles Rams’ defensive line is getting absolutely hammered with injuries right now, and that could mean a massive workload for their 35-year-old defensive tackle, Aaron Donald. He just came back from a two-year retirement last month, and suddenly he might be carrying the whole unit.
The Injury Crisis Is Real for the Rams
This isn’t some minor tweak or a couple of guys out for a week, either. This is a full-blown crisis up front for the Rams. They just placed nose tackle Poona Ford and defensive end Kobie Turner on injured reserve this week. And it’s not just them; linebacker Myles Garrett has been on IR since the days right after Week 1. You lose that much talent and depth, and you’re scrambling for answers. The obvious, and maybe only, answer is to lean even harder on your returning superstar.
Donald’s “Just Play” Mentality vs. Coaching Reality
So what’s the man himself think? Donald told reporters on Friday, “I’m going to just be out there playing. However that rotation is going to be, it’s going to be. We never have to set a snap , we just go as the game goes and have what that is. If it’s 30 plays, 40 plays, 50 plays, 60 plays, that’s what it’s going to be.” That’s the attitude you want from a leader, but it’s a brutal ask for a guy who’s 35 and literally just un-retired. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula was asked Thursday if this injury mess means more reps for Donald, and he was a bit more cautious. Shula said it’s “hard to say” and depends on the “flow of the game.” He mentioned that while there’s a general snap count for Donald, “I don’t think we would go crazily past that, but it’s going to be hard if it’s a tight game and he’s at that number.”
It sounds like a delicate balancing act, but with the Rams’ defensive line depth decimated, they might not have much choice but to throw Donald out there for as many plays as he can handle. How much can the 35-year-old Donald really take just weeks after returning from a two-year retirement? We’re about to find out.
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.
Leave a Reply