Aaron Donald Nears Return for Rams' Monday Night Football Matchup Against Bills
The star defensive tackle is expected to practice this week after missing Sunday's victory over the Eagles with back soreness.
Los Angeles Rams star defensive tackle Aaron Donald is anticipated to return to practice this week, potentially rejoining the lineup for Monday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills. Donald missed the Rams' 24-20 comeback win against the Philadelphia Eagles due to back soreness.
Head coach Sean McVay stated Monday that the team expects Donald, a future Hall of Famer, to be back on the field for the game against Josh Allen and the 3-1 Bills at SoFi Stadium. "That’s the hope," McVay said when asked about Donald's potential participation.
Donald's return marks a potential boost for the Rams' defense, which managed to secure a victory against the Eagles without him. His absence has necessitated a rotation of other defensive linemen, including Poona Ford, Tyler Davis, Braden Fiske, and Kobie Turner. McVay also indicated that starting cornerback Jaylen Watson, who suffered a dislocated shoulder against Denver, is expected to practice this week, though his availability for Monday night remains uncertain.
This would be the latest in a series of availability challenges for Donald in the current season. He missed the season opener while working back to full fitness, showed flashes of his usual dominance in Week 2, and then was sidelined for the Eagles game after experiencing back soreness following the Denver matchup. The Rams' ability to rotate players and maintain defensive depth has been a key factor in navigating these absences.