Aaron Donald returns to Rams, says he can still play at a high level
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald rejoined the Los Angeles Rams after a two-year retirement, stating he feels ready to compete at his previous standard.
Aaron Donald participated in his first practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, marking his return to the NFL after retiring following the 2023 season. The 35-year-old three-time Defensive Player of the Year said he feels capable of performing at a high level and remaining true to his style of play.
"Do I feel like I can play at a high level? Yes. Do I feel like I can still be myself? 100%," Donald said.
Donald, a ten-time Pro Bowler and eight-time first-team All-Pro, said he documented his training and conditioning to verify his readiness, noting that his movements appeared "cleaner" than before. His comeback adds to a Rams defense that has been reshaped this offseason, including the acquisition of cornerback Trent McDuffie, free-agent signing Jaylen Watson, and a trade for Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
"The D-line group alone… we already thought it was a stacked D-line with Jared Verse. Then you bring a guy like Myles Garrett, a generational talent, and it’s like, huh, that could be fun," Donald said.
Head coach Sean McVay declined to confirm whether Donald will be available for the team's season-opening game in Australia against the San Francisco 49ers, emphasizing a day-by-day approach to his reintegration.
"I’m not going to talk about any sort of plans. It’s going to be a day at a time… we’ll see what that ramp-up period looks like," McVay said.
The Rams indicated they will deploy Donald when he is ready, whether that is in the first week or later in the season, adding a veteran presence to a defense that is already considered a Super Bowl contender.