Aaron Donald Returns After 981 Days as Rams Rout Giants
Update: McVay says Puka Nacua's groin soreness is not a long-term threat and there is no hernia, but the Rams are being cautious, and his status for Sunday night at Denver is undetermined.
Aaron Donald could play his first game since the 2023 season on Monday night. Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said Thursday the team is "hopeful" the three-time Defensive Player of the Year will be active against the New York Giants.
Where does his comeback stand?
Donald retired in March 2024 and ended months of speculation by returning on Aug. 30. He stayed home when the Rams opened in Melbourne with a 27-7 loss to San Francisco, and he was set to practice in full Thursday. "It's more along the line of how does he feel?" McVay said, describing Donald as "obviously chomping at the bit." He added: "We'll have some good work today and tomorrow and then hopefully he's feeling good enough and if he says he's ready to go, then we'll be excited to see him."
Why does the timing matter?
Myles Garrett had knee surgery Monday and is on injured reserve for at least four games, so the Rams' pass rush needs the help now. McVay said Garrett was already off crutches two days after the procedure, and that the team won't rush him.
What did Donald say on Friday?
"That's the plan. Practice today, have another practice tomorrow and then we'll see, but feeling good," he said after a second straight day in team drills. "I feel a lot better now that I got more practice under my belt instead of one." He doesn't know what his snap count will be: "However my game plan, however it's going to be, I'm going to go out there and play hard." If he plays, it will be 981 days since his last game. Separately, receiver Puka Nacua, who had five catches for 74 yards in the opener, missed Friday's practice with a hip injury after not appearing on Thursday's report.
What is the final injury picture for Monday?
Donald is expected to play. Nacua missed Friday and Saturday with what McVay described as groin soreness, separate from the psoas issue he had in camp, and is questionable. McVay said the team is "being smart with him as a skill player" after Nacua "didn't feel totally like himself" on Thursday. Receiver Jordan Whittington is doubtful with a quad injury. The Giants have cornerback trouble of their own: Paulson Adebo went on injured reserve with a knee injury and Deonte Banks is questionable with a calf problem, so rookie Colton Hood is likely to start opposite Greg Newsome.
Did Donald play?
Yes. He was active for the 28-6 win over the Giants, in which Los Angeles held New York to 182 yards. Nacua was inactive; McVay said he had "a little bit of soreness" in his groin and "didn't feel totally like himself" in his ability to open up at full speed. Jordan Whittington (quad) was also inactive.
Where does Nacua stand for Week 3?
Unclear. The Rams held a walk-through Wednesday and estimated Nacua would not have practiced. McVay said there is no hernia but that the feeling is "like some of the things that can almost be like pre-hernia," and that "usually time is the best thing that allows that thing to heal." He said the team wants Nacua "to be able to return to performance, not just be able to just kind of gut through it." Nacua is described as frustrated.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: McVay: Rams 'hopeful' Donald will play against Giants on MNF
- ESPN: Rams' Donald plans to play vs. Giants; Nacua (hip) misses practice
- ESPN: Rams' Puka Nacua again misses practice, questionable for MNF
- ESPN: Rams WR Puka Nacua (hip) inactive for MNF vs. Giants
- ESPN: McVay says Nacua's injury not 'long-term' concern, but Rams being cautious
Los Angeles Rams betting odds
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