Rams Reinforce Defense and Tight End for Bills Showdown; Garrett's Return Delayed

The Los Angeles Rams are set to bolster their roster with the return of three key players for their upcoming Monday Night Football game against the Buffalo Bills. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald, cornerback Jaylen Watson, and tight end Colby Parkinson have all been cleared to play, head coach Sean McVay announced Saturday.

All three players missed the Rams' previous game, a 24-20 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Donald, who had been dealing with back soreness, practiced on Thursday and Friday before resting on Saturday. "As far as injuries are concerned, Aaron was a DNP, but he’s good," McVay said. "He’ll be good to go for the game, no status there." Donald himself expressed optimism on Friday, stating he felt "great" and planned to play against the Bills.

Cornerback Jaylen Watson's return is particularly notable given the severity of his Week 3 shoulder injury, which initially suggested a longer absence. Watson suffered a dislocated shoulder against the Denver Broncos but is expected to play after missing just one game. He will reportedly wear a protective harness designed to limit his shoulder's range of motion and reduce the risk of further dislocation.

Colby Parkinson is also cleared to play after being sidelined with an AC joint shoulder injury for the Eagles game.

Safety Quentin Lake remains the only player with a questionable status due to a minor hip injury, though McVay indicated Lake is improving and feeling better.

Despite the positive updates, the team's major offseason acquisition, defensive end Myles Garrett, will not be returning for the Buffalo game. Garrett has been on injured reserve since the Rams' opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers following knee surgery. While he is eligible to come off IR next week, McVay indicated that the team is unlikely to activate his 21-day practice window immediately.

McVay stressed the importance of ensuring Garrett is not only medically cleared but also performs at his peak. "There’s a difference between return to play and return to performance," he explained, referencing orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache. The coach believes Garrett's recovery is progressing well, and his eventual return could be swift once he resumes football activities. However, the focus is on having him healthy for a potential January playoff run rather than rushing him back in October.

The Rams will therefore rely on the returns of Donald, Watson, and Parkinson as they aim to improve their standing against the Bills, with Garrett's impactful presence on the defensive line deferred to a later date.