Aaron Donald’s brief retirement appears to be over as he plans to return this Monday. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year told reporters Friday that he expects to play for the Los Angeles Rams in their Week 2 Monday Night Football matchup with the New York Giants, noting he’s had two practices and will take part in another before deciding definitively.
Donald’s most recent action came in the Rams’ wild-card loss to the Detroit Lions on Jan. 14, 2024. He initially seemed content with his first retirement, but talk of a comeback grew after the Rams acquired elite pass-rusher Myles Garrett in a blockbuster trade. Donald took his time weighing a return, with the team issuing intermittent updates as he evaluated his readiness, and ultimately signed a one-year, $20 million contract on Aug. 30.
Because that deal arrived after Week 1, Donald didn’t play in the Rams’ season opener in Australia, a 27-7 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers — a game in which Garrett was largely absent before undergoing knee surgery. Garrett is now on injured reserve and expected to miss at least four weeks; Donald said he wants the defense to stay strong while Garrett recovers and expressed confidence in the roster’s talent.
Even coming off a long layoff and now 35 years old, Donald will face high expectations as part of a defense on a team that entered the year as a Super Bowl favorite. He may not assume the exact role he had at his peak, but his return is sure to draw attention.
Fan Take: Donald’s comeback matters because it instantly boosts the Rams’ defensive credibility and alters opponents’ game plans—his presence alone can change blocking schemes and pressures. For the league, a high-profile return like this underscores how star players can reshape a season and keeps longtime fans engaged.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
