Aaron Donald, the Los Angeles Rams’ star defensive tackle, isn’t ready to commit to playing in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers, even after coming out of retirement. That’s the word just days before the Rams are set to travel all the way to Melbourne for their season opener on Tuesday night.
“Not Where I Want It To Be” But “Pretty Damn Good”
Donald told reporters Monday he’s “taking it day by day,” trying to “come up with a game plan to see what’s going on.” He sounds positive, saying he’s “feeling good, feeling really good,” and that “things are clicking faster than I thought it would be.” But he’s also honest about the rust. He admitted his “first day out there, with 11-on-11, things would be a little all over the place. Settled in. A couple of plays a little rusty. It ain’t where I want it to be, but it’s pretty damn good if you ask me.” He hasn’t played since 2023, so that makes sense. The man knows what he wants to clean up, though, adding, “The more reps I do, the more I play, it’ll get there.”
A Long Flight and a Short Ramp-Up
Here’s the kicker: Donald just officially signed with the Rams two weeks ago. He’s been getting into NFL shape since June, which helps, but a two-year layoff and a quick ramp-up before a lengthy flight to a different time zone? That’s a huge ask. Donald himself dropped the truth bomb, “I’m 35.” While the Rams obviously want their three-time Defensive Player of the Year back on the field ASAP, they’ve got talent on that defensive line. There’s no huge rush to throw him into the deep end if he’s not 100 percent for the opener.
So, will we see the defensive superstar Tuesday night in Melbourne? His availability for Week 1 should become a lot clearer by Tuesday evening. This opener isn’t just a game, it’s the start of a whole new chapter for Donald and the Rams. Keep your eyes peeled for that final word.
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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