Aaron Donald Skips Rams' Week 1 Australia Opener as 35-Year-Old Ramps Up After Retirement
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 8
Aaron Donald Skips Rams' Week 1 Australia Opener as 35-Year-Old Ramps Up After Retirement
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 8
Summary
Sean McVay said Aaron Donald will not travel to Australia for Thursday night's opener against the 49ers, leaving the Rams without him for their first game.
Aug. 30 marked Donald's return from a short retirement, and the Rams are giving the 35-year-old extra time after he last played in January 2024.
Sept. 21 is now his earliest return date, when Los Angeles hosts the Giants on Monday Night Football after 10 more days to prepare.
The Rams view the move as injury prevention—especially against soft-tissue issues—and say their defensive-line depth lets them prioritize a full season and postseason run over Week 1.