Aaron Donald just clocked his highest snap total of the 2026 season in Week 5, playing a massive 67% of the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive snaps against the Buffalo Bills. This is a huge sign for a guy who just missed Week 4 with a back injury, showing the Rams are not holding back their future Hall of Famer.
Donald’s Back and Bringing the Heat
After spending two full seasons away from the game, it was understandable that Donald needed time to get back into the swing of things. He even admitted feeling a little rusty in his Week 2 debut against the New York Giants, which was his first regular-season appearance since the 2023 campaign. The Rams were cautious, giving him 33 defensive snaps in that Giants game. His workload did see an increase in Week 3 against Denver, which was an encouraging step. However, a back soreness forced him to sit out the Week 4 matchup against Philadelphia, making his return to form a bit of a question mark. But the team clearly trusts him, because they did not hesitate to expand his role upon his return from injury.
The 67% Against Buffalo Was Just The Start
The numbers from Week 5 against Buffalo speak for themselves: 67% of Los Angeles’ defensive snaps is his highest percentage through his first three appearances this season. While the Rams ultimately lost a heartbreaker, a 37-34 overtime thriller, Donald’s increased participation is a massive positive for a defense that desperately needs its veteran leader to make an impact. He even said it himself, “I’m having fun, getting into a good groove.” That is what you love to hear from a guy coming back from retirement and injury. It is clear the Rams have been smart, gradually increasing his responsibilities rather than throwing him straight into a full-time role. After going up against him on Monday Night Football, Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins confirmed Donald hasn’t lost a step. Dawkins asked him how his body felt after not taking all those hits, and Donald’s response was simple: it takes repetition.
This increasing involvement suggests that the adjustment period is paying off, and Donald is rediscovering his rhythm. If he continues on this trajectory and returns to his pre-retirement capacity, the Rams defense is poised to ascend as one of the league’s best units. And with Myles Garrett’s impending return, it is going to be a scary sight for opposing offenses.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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