The Los Angeles Rams are considering various approaches to reintegrate defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who is returning after a two-year hiatus from the sport. A Week 1 debut against the 49ers in Australia remains a possibility, contingent on his progress in ramping up his conditioning, according to Pro Football Talk.
If Donald had returned earlier in August, the Rams reportedly believed they could have built him up to play between 30 and 40 snaps in the season opener. However, his current absence presents the team with strategic decisions regarding his on-field readiness.
Roster Management Options
One potential strategy involves utilizing an injury designation. NFL rules permit teams to place an injured player on reserve/IR after the initial 53-man roster is set, with the possibility of designating them to return later. This option requires a qualifying injury, a minimum absence of four games, and consumes one of the team's limited return designations. The Rams have already used this special cutdown-day provision for offensive linemen Justin Dedich and Keagen Trost, who were placed on injured reserve before the 53-man deadline. NFL rules allow only two players placed on an applicable reserve list during final cuts to retain return eligibility.
However, if Donald's primary need is to regain football conditioning, a simpler alternative exists. The Rams can retain him on the 53-man roster, allow him to practice, and simply list him as inactive for games as needed. This approach does not impose a four-game minimum, enabling Donald to miss as much time as head coach Sean McVay deems necessary before his return.
This flexibility is particularly valuable for a 35-year-old defensive tackle who has not played a professional snap since January 2024. The Rams have significantly bolstered their defense in the offseason, pairing Donald with Myles Garrett. While the injury-list scenario is one possibility, the most straightforward method may be to grant Donald all the necessary practice time without imposing an artificial timeline for his return.