Aaron Donald is back with the Los Angeles Rams after a two-year retirement, and the immediate question has shifted from his return to his availability for the team's season opener in Australia on Sept. 10. Former Rams teammate Todd Gurley expressed optimism that Donald will play in the game against the 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, despite the short ramp-up period.
"I think he will play. But I think it may be somewhat limited," Gurley told The Post. "I think they’ll slowly ramp him back up. But I hope he plays, man, mostly for the international crowd. You have a lot of people over there."
Donald announced his retirement end in August 2026, and the Rams are scheduled to play the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL's first regular-season game in Australia just 11 days later. This tight turnaround has led to skepticism among some NFL analysts who believe a later return, perhaps in Week 2 or 3, would be more logical for both the player and the team.
Rams coach Sean McVay indicated that the team will manage Donald's return cautiously, assessing his re-acclimation to practice and the demands of football before making a decision on his participation in the Australia game. "We'll take it one day at a time," McVay stated.
Gurley, who played five seasons with Donald and remains close to the Rams organization, believes Donald's competitive drive has been rekindled. "I think he has re-sparked that fire back in him," Gurley said. "And he’s going to go out there and dominate."
Donald, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, returns to a Rams defense already bolstered by players like Myles Garrett, Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner, and Byron Young. Gurley suggested that Donald's motivation this time might be different, returning as an accomplished veteran with "freedom" and "no pressure."
"There’s really no pressure for him," Gurley said. "He’s accomplished everything that he’s been able to do."
The Rams' long-term goal in bringing Donald back is to bolster the team for a deep playoff run, potentially reaching the Super Bowl, which is scheduled to be held in their home stadium. His presence is seen as a key factor for sustained success throughout the season rather than an immediate necessity for the season opener.