Aaron Donald, once a figure of the Los Angeles Rams’ past, is making a return to the team’s active lineup. The future Hall of Famer shared on Friday that he intends to play against the New York Giants during Monday Night Football, a move that energizes a Rams locker room still reeling from a disappointing start to the season in Australia.
“That’s the plan,” Donald said affirmatively when asked about playing on Monday. “I’m feeling really good. I feel a lot better now that I got more practice under my belt instead of one. I’m getting in the groove of things, understanding everything a lot better out there, playing a lot more free, a lot more loose and looking more like myself to me.”
The timing of his return seems fortuitous. The Rams were overwhelmed in their recent matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, with Myles Garrett ending the game without any standout stats. To make matters worse, Garrett underwent a knee procedure on Monday and is anticipated to be sidelined for at least four weeks. This predicament leaves a significant gap in the pass rush that Donald could help fill.
After announcing his retirement following the 2023 season, Donald shocked the league by returning to football at the end of August. His teammates are now getting reacquainted with the superstar they once had, bringing a renewed sense of hope, especially after a lackluster performance in Australia.
“Watching him in practice, he hasn’t missed a step,” Byron Young remarked, referring to his time as a rookie alongside Donald in 2023. “Losing Myles is a big piece, but I’m really excited about Aaron coming back this week.”
Kobie Turner echoed this sentiment, remarking, “AD is AD. You guys will see it on Monday.”
Donald even smiled at the thought of possibly facing double or triple teams from the Giants, playful about the past attention he garnered on the field. “They ain’t worried about me, man,” he joked. “They don’t have to worry about me at all.”
However, his teammates seem to disagree. Trent McDuffie anticipates a raucous atmosphere when Donald runs onto the field, and Young added, “It’s going to be crazy. It’s going to be chaos. That’s somebody who poured everything into the game and gave back to the city.”
Turner believes that not only will Donald’s presence provide added versatility for the defense, but it will also bring a much-needed spark. After a weary start to their season, the Rams will welcome back one of their franchise’s all-time greats under the bright lights of Monday night football.
It’s a moment reminiscent of his past returns, but this time, he’ll be donned in pads once again, ready to make an impact.
