Aaron Donald Trending Toward Playing Week 2 Against the Giants
Coach Sean McVay says the three-time Defensive Player of the Year is "chomping at the bit" to make his season debut, a shift from the team's "undecided" stance earlier in the week.
Aaron Donald is trending toward playing Monday night against the Giants, according to coach Sean McVay, who said Thursday the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year is "obviously chomping at the bit" to make his season debut.
"What we are hopeful is, is that we'll have some good work today and tomorrow and then hopefully he's feeling good enough," McVay said, according to ESPN's Sarah Barshop. "And if he says he's ready to go, then we'll be excited to see him."
That is a shift from Monday, when McVay said the team hadn't decided whether Donald would play, telling reporters, "We haven't decided that yet. He's going to continue to work his process, and we'll see what that looks like."
Donald does not appear on the Rams' official injury report this week, unlike teammates Kam Curl, Omar Speights, Nate Landman, Kamren Kinchens and Davante Adams. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo called Donald's status "uncertain" on "Good Morning Football" earlier this week, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Donald has a "very, very realistic chance" to play — both before Thursday's comments.
Donald last played during the 2023 season, before announcing his retirement in March 2024. The Giants play at the Rams at 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, Sept. 21, on ABC and ESPN.