Aaron Donald stated he feels "great" and better than expected after two seasons away from the NFL, but he has not guaranteed he will play in the Los Angeles Rams’ season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night in Melbourne, Australia. The decision on whether the future Hall of Famer will travel with the team, which is scheduled to depart Tuesday, remains undecided.
Donald, 35, has not played an NFL snap since January 2024 and spent the last two seasons retired. He intensified his training over the past 14 weeks to assess the physical feasibility of a comeback. While early results have been encouraging regarding his physical condition, readiness for the speed and physicality of an NFL game remains a key consideration.
"We're going day by day," Donald said Monday, echoing the team's official message. "We'll come up with a game plan and see what's going on."
The Rams organization is not looking to rush Donald's return. Their primary objective is to ensure he is healthy and effective throughout a season where they aim to contend for a Super Bowl. Donald participated in cardio and body maintenance off-field during Monday's practice, acknowledging the need for caution after a two-year hiatus.
If Donald is cleared to play, his workload would likely be limited, potentially around 20-25 snaps, with strategic deployment in specific situations like passing downs. Donald expressed no concern about his role, stating, "Whatever my role is, I'm going to go out there, play at a high level and do my part. It's a team sport."
This potential return marks a shift for Donald, who for most of his career has been the central focus of the Rams' defense. The team's current defensive front, featuring players like Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, and Braden Fiske, offers depth that could allow Donald to play in a more complementary role. This collective strength is designed to protect Donald from excessive wear and deploy him strategically.
"So, there's no pressure on me," Donald said. "I can just go out there, play free, play ball, let the game come to me, play with the guys around me, help them, they help me, and hopefully we have a lot of success this season."
The team will decide whether to utilize Donald in Thursday's opener or wait until their home game against the New York Giants on September 21. The final determination of his readiness for the upcoming game is still pending.