Aaron Donald took a meaningful step toward getting back on the field Friday, and the signs are pointing toward a return for the Los Angeles Rams’ Monday Night Football matchup with the Buffalo Bills.
Donald, who missed Week 4 because of a back injury, was listed as a full participant in practice, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Rapoport called that an “indication” that Donald will be available Monday night.
“Rams DT Aaron Donald was a full participant today, an indication that he'll return on Monday night,” Rapoport wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
That update fit with the message coming from Sean McVay earlier in the week. The Rams coach said Donald, along with Colby Parkinson and Jaylen Watson, would be limited at first, with the plan to increase their workload as the week went on.
“Sean McVay said Aaron Donald, Colby Parkinson and Jaylen Watson will be limited today, but the plan is to ramp them up as the week progresses,” Stu Jackson wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
McVay also made it clear what the team is aiming for against Buffalo.
“The expectation [as] long as they progress accordingly, then they'll be ready to go,” McVay said about the Monday Night Football contest against the Bills.
How the Rams handle Donald once he’s back is still an open question. He is coming out of retirement and working through the back issue, so Los Angeles may choose to be careful with the 35-year-old rather than push him too hard.
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