Aaron Donald will not be on the field when the Rams face the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday, and the reason is simple: he is not physically ready yet for the demands of game action.
Donald did not even travel with the Rams to Australia. Instead, he is staying back so he can keep focusing on training and preparation for his eventual season debut. After being away from pro football for so long, the Rams believe he still needs more time before he can handle the “grit and grind” of a real game.
That caution makes sense given the way his return has unfolded. Donald did not join the Rams this year until after training camp had already ended, so there is a clear difference between working on his own in retirement and getting himself ready for live football at the highest level. The Rams appear comfortable taking the slower route, knowing what he can still do when he is fully up to speed and trusting they can beat the 49ers without him.
It also means fans will have to wait a little longer to see one of the game’s greats back in action.
As for when that first game might come, nothing is official, but the signs point toward a home debut. The Rams play on September 10th, which would leave Donald 11 days to keep building toward a Monday night matchup with the New York Giants on September 21st.
That is the date that looks most likely for his return, even if he is not in the starting lineup. He could open as a rotational piece, but the idea would be to get him some snaps and ramp him up from there.
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