The NFL’s regular season is officially HERE, and holy smokes, the drama is already hitting HARD! We’re talking Week 1 chaos, especially with the historic opener between the Rams and the 49ers kicking off Down Under in Melbourne, Australia. While one team is playing things incredibly close to the vest about their superstar, the other is shouting their star’s return from the rooftops.
The Aaron Donald Down Under Mystery
Aaron Donald, who just popped out of a brief retirement on August 30, is playing total hardball. The guy’s keeping us guessing about whether he’ll even travel, let alone suit up, for that Week 1 matchup against the Niners. On Monday, reporters asked if he plans to make the trip and play on Thursday. Donald’s answers? Vague, my friends. “Feeling really good. Feeling great,” he said. Then, “Come up with a game plan and see what’s going on.” Coach Sean McVay previously indicated the entire roster was expected to make the flight, but now? Donald’s actual game-day snap count and active availability are still a day-to-day evaluation as kickoff gets closer, all while he’s working through a progressive conditioning ramp-up. Myles Garrett looked like he was trying to add more power to his tackles. Look, the Rams’ pass rush will still be plenty for opposing offenses to handle, but missing Donald? That would be a massive blow to their defense.
Bosa’s Big Boost For The Niners
Now, flip that coin! Over on the San Francisco side, they are not holding back on their star defensive end, Nick Bosa. Niners defensive coordinator Raheem Morris flat-out confirmed on Monday that Bosa WILL be on the field for Thursday’s season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne. Morris told reporters, “He’s going to play. We are not hiding that.” This is HUGE news for the Niners. Remember, Bosa tore his right ACL in Week 3 last season and then had to battle knee tendinitis during training camp. He just returned to practice last week before jumping on the plane with the team. Getting Bosa back gives a critical boost to a San Francisco pass rush that finished dead LAST in the entire NFL in sacks last season. They might manage his snap volume as he gets his conditioning back up to speed, but having his active status anchoring that 49ers defense for their historic kickoff? That’s a game-changer for them.
Early Season Shocks and Our Hawks
Around the league, we’re seeing some other early season shocks. The Atlanta Falcons made it official, naming Tua Tagovailoa their Week 1 starting quarterback. Over in Dallas, the Cowboys just took a hit to their offensive line with All-Pro guard Tyler Smith needing thumb surgery, which is never good news. And check this out from Cleveland: Browns coach Todd Monken hinted that sixth-round rookie quarterback Taylen Green could actually be active for Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars! He could potentially be the primary game-day option behind Deshaun Watson. Monken even left the door wide open for Green to get specialized athletic packages over Shedeur Sanders, saying, “Could be. There could be a package where we have him.” They might even activate three quarterbacks for that game. And get this, Emerald City! Our own Seattle Seahawks are kicking off their season Wednesday in a Super Bowl rematch against the Patriots! You know we’ll be glued to that one. The league is already wild, and we’re just getting started!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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